I WASN’T ABLE TO HOLD MY BABY
Kayla Halloway, 32, a law student from Basingstoke, Hants, was not allowed to see or hold her son Beau after giving birth in November
I started seeing my boyfriend in February last year. We’d only been together a few weeks when I found out I was expecting. It wasn’t planned but I knew straight away I wanted to keep the baby.
Our relationship broke down when I was three months pregnant but as Covid restrictions meant I couldn’t take anyone with me to scans and appointments it didn’t really make a big difference to me.
I have an older son Alby, nine, who was born prematurely, so I knew there was a chance this baby might arrive early too.
At 32 weeks I went into labour and was admitted to Basingstoke Hospital. I ended up having an emergency C-section. My son Beau was taken straight to the neonatal department. He weighed 4lb 6oz and seemed to be doing well but everything changed when I found out my mum, who I’d seen a couple of days earlier, had tested positive for coronavirus.
I was moved to an isolation ward and staff wouldn’t even let me see Beau, let alone hold him. I was distraught. After four days, I was finally allowed to see him but I had to wear full PPE and I still wasn’t allowed to touch him.
He was six days old when I finally held him but again I had to wear full PPE. It was so emotional to feel him in my arms.
I couldn’t see my older son either and no one was allowed to visit me. It was such a hard time. After two weeks we were finally allowed home.
Beau is so content and Alby is great with him. Sometimes it is hard being a single mum, but Beau is adorable and worth it.
‘‘ He was six days old when I finally held him but I still had to wear full PPE