Powys mums tell of lockdown births

When the County Times asked people to share their experiences, we had plenty of responses from people whose birth plans had been far removed from their expectations.

Here is a selection of the stories people were willing to share with us – we’re grateful to all the mums and dads who came forward to tell us about their own life-changing moment in the midst of a shared experience that has transformed the world.

• Last-minute dash

It was an eventful lockdown birth for Kaylie Boyd from Llanfair Caereinion, who thought she might give birth in a car, then an ambulance, before her new arrival Lincoln came just three minutes after she arrived at hospital in Telford.

She went into labour at about 6pm on March 31, intending to give birth at home with her partner James.

Because that was her plan, she didn’t need to contact her midwife straight away, so waited until 10.30pm – when she was told all the midwives were out on other appointments.

“I contacted a friend so she and her husband could take me as my partner had to stay with my eldest son,” said Kaylie.

“After 20 minutes in the car I couldn’t sit any more and told them to pull over and call an ambulance. There were no ambulances close by, I really thought I was going to have my baby in the car in a lay-by.

“Two ambulances finally arrived after an hour. I wanted to push but they wanted me to wait, my friend came in the ambulance with me and her husband drove to Telford. I got to Telford transferred from stretcher to hospital bed, pushed straight away and my son was born at 12.46am on April 1.

“I was discharged about three hours later, my partner got to meet our son at 5am and my eldest son got to wake up to a new brother without knowing I had gone anywhere.”

She added: “Leaving my partner at home was horrible and caused a lot of stress on me but we had spoken about it before if it was to happen.

“The midwives were great with me and made sure me and baby were happy, healthy and safe and to get us home as soon as possible.”

• Couple's 2lb 9oz baby

It was five weeks before Ryan Taylor was able to hold his newborn baby for the first time.

Little Sienna was born on March 25, 11 weeks early – but because of the coronavirus lockdown only one of her parents could see her at a time.

A tiny 2lb 9oz baby, Ryan’s partner Natalie was taken to Wrexham after a midwife check-up with very high blood pressure.

She was kept in hospital and monitored, and it was there that doctors realised she had pre-eclampsia.

“Things escalated quickly so they sent natalie to Glan Clwyd Hospital via ambulance as they said they needed to be prepared to deliver baby early,” said Ryan.

“After a few days there they then sent Natalie via ambulance to Arrowe Park Hospital which after one night there they decided it was safer for Natalie and baby to deliver baby via emergency c-section.

“This was a hard time as visiting was very limited in all hospitals due to Covid-19. I was able to be with Natalie when she had the c-section but neither of us saw Sienna until the day after she was born.

“A few days later Natalie and Sienna went back to Glan Clwyd Hospital, and at this point no partners were allowed in.

“Natalie stayed there for two weeks and I didn’t see either of them in that time. Then after two weeks Sienna got moved to Wrexham and Natalie came home.

“I had to drive Natalie to Wrexham Hospital to visit Sienna as she was unable to drive but i was not allowed to go in which was very hard.

“It’s only now they have decided partners are allowed in but at separate times to the mother.

“I held Sienna for the first time at just over five weeks old. This was so hard knowing I was a father but could not see my baby or hold her so holding her for the first time was emotional and joyful. “

He added: “Now we just cant wait to get her home and keep her safe.”

• Less cwtches, plenty of love

Ffion Morgan’s baby, Mali Darcey Morgan, was born on April 26 in Bronglais Hospital.

And Ffion was full of praised for the midwives who supported her through the late stages of her pregnancy in Llanidloes.

“Llanidloes midwives were very supportive and helpful throughout my pregnancy and my baby girl was born in Bronglais. Llanidloes midwifes are continuing to provide support and adapting ways of communication to minimise face to face contact to reduce the risk of Covid-19.

“I certainly found it a challenge with the added worry of attending antenatal appointments at the hospitals with regards to the current circumstances but measures were put in place to help protect patients and staff.”

Ffion said that one of the difficult aspects had been the lack of visitors and sense of celebration when she began her period of maternity leave and had her baby.

She said: “I couldn’t help but feel robbed of the last trimester of my pregnancy, no celebrations, not having the chance to say goodbye to work colleagues before starting maternity leave due to self isolating, not being able to go shopping for baby things and having to rely on my husband to do a once a week shop for food and essential items.

“It’s been hard not being able to introduce our baby to our family and friends, after all showing your new baby off is part and parcel of being a proud parent but we are lucky to be able to utilise things like video calling and sharing photos on social media for now so our family and friends can see how she’s changing and growing.

“Although not quite the cwtches and cuddles we’d hoped she would be able to share with our family and friends, it’ll do for now.”

Ffion added: “Despite all that’s going on and all the extra challenges we are all facing during these times, ultimately, we are just very grateful we have a healthy baby to bring home and introduce to her big brother Macsen.”

• Home-birth 'the best decision'

Amid the lockdown, Emma Breeze decided to give birth at home – and was delighted she did.

“Due to the Covid-19 I decided to have a home birth, due to nobody being able to have my other children,” she said. “I was worried about my partner not being able to be apart of the whole experience. It’s the best decision I made.”

Finnley Gwyn Sinden came on his due date of April 27, at 1.05pm, delivered by Welshpool midwives Gemma and Grace.

“I woke up early hours of the morning, I spoke to the midwife at about 11.15am and she was with me by 11.30am and good job too as when she got here I was almost ready to give birth,” Emma continued.

“She attended my home with all the correct PPE, the only thing which was strange was her having to wear a face mask. It must have been horrible for her to have to wear that, and having to reassure me and help with everything else they need to do.

“My partner was with me the whole time with our other children and it was fantastic as it kept me occupied and the midwives were fantastic with the children.

“The midwife stayed for as long as I needed and she was very professional and I cannot explain how caring and understanding they are.

“I was so worried about having a baby during this time but thankfully it worked out fantastic.

“The only downside currently is that close family and friends have yet to meet him. Hopefully soon they will be able to.”

• Sister cut the cord

Claire Hunnisett from Welshpool was among the mums who gave birth in lockdown – and decided to do so at home to because of the coronavirus.

She had been in lockdown since her husband first heard about pregnant women being vulnerable, soon after the schools closed.

That meant that she was heavily pregnant – and with three kids already at home, one of whom is disabled, along with her husband, it meant that the late stages of pregnancy were less than peaceful.

“Baby was due on April 1 and we’d joke that if I went into labour everyone would think it was a fool’s prank,” said Claire.

“However the second, third and fourth came and despite always thinking I’d be early, nothing happened.

“Our midwife team was amazing. Gemma, based at Welshpool was our named midwife and she had genuinely been a pleasure to be around and a great support from the beginning, although we’d also seen Grace, also from Welshpool on a couple of occasions and she was equally as lovely and comforting.

“By April 7 I’d been really uncomfortable all night, the house smelt like a swimming pool from nesting and if my husband had Dettoled furniture or door handles any more I was sure they’d disintegrate.

“Baby Hawley Orion Hunnisett arrived happy and healthy at 3.18pm, weighing 9lb 6 despite having growth scans and my other biggest being 7lb 2, and with my children downstairs and husband at my side.

“My 11-year-old daughter and four-year-old son then came upstairs to meet the new addition and my daughter cut her brothers cord.”

• "A great experience"

Sharron Okupski was among the people to give birth during the coronavirus lockdown – and praised the support she received from midwives throughout her labour.

Sharron, from Newtown, gave birth to baby Michael Okupski on April 16 at 11.30pm. He clocked in at 7lb 5oz, and was born at Telford Hospital.

“My birthing experience was great,” said Sharron.

“We had friendly, supportive, helpful midwifes throughout my labour and my husband was allowed to attend the birth of our son – but wasn’t allowed onto the ward to visit us afterwards.”

Michael is a little brother for Emily Okupski and Isabella Okupski.