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'Our very first little miracle he had to meet via a video call': First-time mom shares her lockdown birth story

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"Our very first little miracle he had to meet via a video call."(Srdjanns74/Getty Images)
"Our very first little miracle he had to meet via a video call."(Srdjanns74/Getty Images)

Of all the experiences the Covid-19 pandemic has complicated, the denial of being present at the birth of a child has got to be the worst. 

Since sharing one Parent24 reader's story about being denied visitation during his wife's labour, we've received more heartbreaking letters from families who have gone through similar situations.

Hoping to "shed some more light" on the issue, this first-time mom wrote in to share her painful ordeal. 


I was due to give birth on Monday, 20 April, and after the lockdown was implemented, we tried to double-check with the clinic if my husband would be allowed in the delivery room.

The nurses told us that they were limiting the number of people in the hospital so he wouldn't be allowed to be present during my labour, but when it was time to give birth they would get him in the waiting area to be with me. 

I went into labour on the 19th and went into hospital early hours of the 20th - then we were told that he would no longer be allowed with me or even in the ward. 

He was told to go home. 

Almost 20 hours later, I was alone, in pain and only managing to speak to my husband on the phone or walk to the entrance of the ward and speak to him for 10 minutes. 

It was then established that I wasn't dilating fast enough and would be transferred to another hospital as the baby might be in distress. I was then transferred, only seeing my husband outside the ambulance. 

At the next hospital, I was made to carry all my bags while still in labour.

Eventually, I was moved to a room and told my husband would not be allowed to see me. On the 21st of April, I was still in labour and alone. 

This is our first child, so I was scared. 

I was then told at around 8 am that I would need an emergency C-section. Immediately I asked about my husband, and I was told that he was not be allowed into the theatre.

During this time, I heard cries from my husband over the phone as we were both stressed, scared and helpless. 

I had to wait till around 5pm before I was wheeled into theatre. Without the support of a few doctors in theatre, I would not have made it. 

Thankfully, my daughter was born healthy. 

Around this time, I was told I might be in hospital for 2-3 days, and my husband would still not be allowed in the hospital or to see me or our baby. I then opted to video call him to show him our baby, our very first little miracle he had to meet via a video call.

Eventually, two days later, I was discharged only to be told that I would need to carry my things and the baby downstairs and to the gate to meet my husband as he isn't allowed inside. 

Our baby was born on 21 April, but my husband's first encounter was in the car on 23 April. Instead of meeting a happy new mom, he was met with a stressed and frustrated new mom who just wanted to get home. 

I am all in favour of safety during this time but to take away an opportunity like this? I know there are more women in my position, and we will never be able to get that time back.

Many new mothers are heroes for managing to keep strong during this scary time; why should it be made any harder?

Why take away the one person they need the most at that vulnerable time, especially with all that's going on?

I hope this can shed some more light on the problem. 

Regards,

Aimee C

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