Lonely wards and grandparents at the window for Doncaster's lockdown babies and their mums

And as new mums praise the NHS teams who helped them through the birth of their youngsters since March 23, they told of the loneliness of having a baby during the recent emergency – and revealed they cannot register their youngsters’ births.

Stacey Wallace did not do things by halves – she gave birth to lockdown twins at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Stacey, a carer from Intake, had Bella and Amelia on April 15, by caesarian section. With lockdown she had to attend daily appointments at the hospital, due a complication, alone, leaving partner David Williams alone with their older boys, Joshua, nine, and Jacob, two.

David was allowed into the hopsital only for the caesarian operation, which took an hour and a half due to complications with the anaesthetic.

After seeing the couple’s tiny daughters arrive weight 4lb and and 4lb 5oz, he then had to go back home, while Stacey and the girls were put on a maternity ward for three days.

She said: “In a way I found it lonely, with David and the boys not being there. But it was peaceful not having other visitors there, and that meant I could become more comfortable about breast feeding.

“It as good to get back after three days and finally let David and the boys spend time with the twins. Then initially it was bliss not to have to panic about visitors coming round and feeling we should tidy up! I could just chill in my pyjamas. But as time has gone on I’ve started to feel a bit isolated, and you really do realise how much you appeciate help from your family and friends.

“The grandparents are desperate to see Bella and Amelia – they’ve been at the window, but that’s as far as we’ve got.”

She added: “The staff at the hospital on the maternity wards were fantastic – they were wonderful. I couldn’t have asked for better care.”

First time mum Kelly White, from Askern, aged 34, gave birth to son Hendrix on Monday, May 18, by caesarian section at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Events manager Kelly said: “The hardest thing I have found has been going through the appointments on my own – the scans and doctors appointments.

“Hendrix was born by caesarian, and my husband Paul only had 30 minutes before he had to go home, and then couldn’t see us for two days.

“But I was only in for two days, because they want to get people out after they’ve checked mum and baby. But I can’t fault the hospital. They know we’re in there on our own and they look after us. But visitors were not allowed, and I had to meet Paul downstairs when me and Hendrix left.

“It was a bit lonely. Our parents have had lots of video calls and looked through the window, but there have been no cuddles. I’m really looking forward to the day we can do that. Hendrix’s is my first baby and sometimes I want me mum there to ask atbout things. But it is nice to have the bubble of me, Paul and our baby.”

The couple have not been able to register Hendrix yet because Doncaster Register Office has closed the facility for lockdown. The earliest appointment they have been able to get is late June, which would put them just inside the 42 days in which parents usually have to register a birth.

Gemma Lane gave birth to her son, Charlie, on May 1, weighing 7lbs 1oz. Charlie is the fourth child for Gemma and partner John Hall, but the couple have not been able to register him yet due to lockdown.

Gemma, aged 30, said: “It was difficult once the hospital restrictions were made because I had to attend the hospital regularly to see the consultant for growth scans because with this pregnancy I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I had to be induced because of gestational diabetes at 38 weeks

“I had to go in the night before and had to be alone until my partner could join me at the delivery suite, then he had to leave after around two hours. Me and Charlie remained alone on the postnatal ward until I could be discharged because my baby needed to pass two blood sugar tests and be monitored.

“We were allowed to leave exactly a day later. I would say it felt very lonely not being allowed visitors at the hospital. I was sad that my partner had to leave so soon after his birth and the children couldn’t visit their new brother at the hospital.

“He is doing great. We will remember how different things were and how they weren't how we imagined they'd be.”

Some mums had even more drama to contend with.

Little Dean Allen, was born on April 15 – but he didn’t make the hospital. Instead, mum Emma Krawciw gave birth at home, as her own mum delivered the little boy.

Emma said: “This little man was in too much of a hurry.”

Natalie Foulds baby daughter, Isla Grace Tyrrell was born on April 7 at the Doncaster Royal Infirmary, but had to spend a week in intensive care at Sheffield Neo Natal Unit. Natalie said: “All staff were amazing at both hospitals - they saved her life.”

Doncaster Council says as a result of the Covid-19 virus and to protect its staff and the community as much as possible, the registration of births is currently suspended until the end of June.

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