JOY AMID THE HEARTBREAK... ...the 8,000 babies born since lockdown
MORE than 8,000 Covid pandemic babies have been born with the help of Derby and Burton hospital medics since the first lockdown a year ago.
Now parents who have welcomed newborns during the pandemic have been sharing their stories and praising the dedicated medics who helped bring their babies into the world.
And not all the 8,496 births were straightforward, including a mum who suffers with anxiety who says staff were brilliant when she went into labour. The total includes births across all University Hospitals of Derby and Burton Trust sites, which includes Burton’s Queen’s Hospital and the Royal Derby, and home-births.
Kayleigh Fox told how after her baby was stillborn in May 2019, she went on to have “my little rainbow baby Brodie Taylor” who was born at 37 weeks at Royal Derby Hospital in June last year.
Ms Fox said: “After sadly losing my little boy Freddie Taylor stillborn on Friday May 31, 2019, my little rainbow baby Brodie Taylor, was born at 37 weeks at Royal Derby Hospital on Thursday, June 4, 2020.
“I went in to get induced but I was already 2cm dilated so the midwife broke my waters at 12.30pm and at 6.12pm he was in my arms weighing 7lb.
“I cannot thank the staff enough, I was so scared as it was only a year before I lost my boy stillborn and with Covid-19 I was panicking.
“But the staff were amazing from arriving to leaving. A special mention to my midwife Alice, she was unbelievable and made me feel so at ease.”
Other parents have been com- ing forward to share their experiences and stories.
A mum who had been induced at Queen’s Hospital in Burton has talked of her joy and gratitude towards the maternity team.
Xanthe Edwards, 30, has spoken of her delight as her son, Freddie, was born in July. She said: “My little boy Freddie was born in July at Queen’s Hospital Burton. He didn’t want to be born as was perfectly comfy so I was induced. “Apart from the delay in my husband being able to join me, it really felt completely normal. I was supported throughout by the fabulous team. I really couldn’t have wished for a better experience.
Xanthe, who is from Burntwood, Staffordshire, gave birth to Freddie Edwards at Burton Queen’s Hospital on July 13 at 8.21 pm, and he weighed 9lbs.
She added: “I was so anxious about what giving birth in a pandemic would be like but it was just amazing. Thank you so much to the maternity team at Burton from me and my family.”
Becky Hulse said: “I had my little boy on December 26, 2020, I can’t thank Royal Derby Hospital midwifery staff enough. They were absolutely fantastic and so accommodating since I have anxiety.
“I wasn’t in labour long but the midwife I had was amazing. She kept bringing me cups of tea and lots of water. She spoke to me through the whole of the birth and I felt a real sense of normality. The masks took away a little bit of reality but you soon forgot.”
Carl Bull said his son HudsonHeath was born on August 22. The dad said: “His birth wasn’t straightforward and we were in and out of hospital for four days before finally being induced. He was born with an infection meaning he had a week in hospital with restricted one-hour visiting hours.
“I was working on the hyper acute Stroke pathway project and ED Covid response at the time so was working solidly and was able to focus on something other than worrying, also luckily for me my office was next to their ward.
“Whilst I still wasn’t able to visit them until visiting hours it was comforting to be so close, and knowing that my family were being cared for by the best of best helped immeasurably.
“I’d like to thank the midwifery team who delivered my son and took care of my partner with absolute professionalism and care. Thanks also to the ward team on 314 responsible for their care, and the teams which support them. Not forgetting the lab and pharmacy teams who work their unseen magic behind the scenes.”
Lucy Hall had baby Ronnie on May 20 and said having a baby during the pandemic was a “weird experience, especially my older boys meeting their brother on Facetime”.
She added: “The midwives and healthcare assistants were fantastic and helped me feel at ease. I had a planned c-section and my husband left after about an hour. It was nice to have the bonding time with Ronnie, but it was strange having no visitors.”
I was so anxious about what giving birth in a pandemic would be like but it was just amazing.
Xanthe Edwards