Meet Esmae, who was born just minutes before lockdown
A COUPLE whose first child was born on her due date thought their luck was in – until lockdown was announced just minutes later.
Katie Little and James Morgan from Gosport welcomed their daughter Esmae Morgan into the world at 7.34pm on March 23, with coronavirus pretty far from their minds.
She is just one of more than 1,000 babies born in the Portsmouth area during lockdown, and we present a small selection of them here today.
James, 22, had to leave Queen Alexandra Hospital after Esmae was born, and was due to return the next day to see his partner and child again in visiting hours from 2pm to 4pm.
However, five minutes after he left, a nurse let Katie know that lockdown had been announced and James would be unable to visit.
Esmae and Katie remained in hospital on their own for five days before they could return home due to medical complications.
‘It was all a bit emotional, I couldn’t see anybody and my family couldn’t visit,’ said 21-year-old Katie.
A worried Katie was reassured by staff throughout her stay, and has spoken very highly of how she was treated.
Katie said: ‘They were so helpful and kind. They were so supportive and constantly kept us updated with everything.
‘I think they’re absolutely amazing, the support they were giving to me and everybody else.
‘When you’re feeling quite emotional you just want a hug but they can’t do that so it would be a case of them sitting down and talking to you to calm you down.’
Although James and Katie live with Katie’s mum and sister, the new dad’s family live in Suffolk so have been unable to meet Esmae yet.
The pair, who have been together two years, have been making sure to keep in touch with them through video calls and a virtual photo album of Esmae updates.
Katie added: ‘It will definitely be one to tell her – I have made a scrapbook for her, including the letter Boris Johnson sent everyone.
‘It has been absolutely amazing, I love being a mum. She is the most happy, chilled baby I have ever met – we were so lucky.
‘I want to give my support to all the new mums and families who are missing out. Hopefully it won’t be too long until they can meet their new family member.’
Staff at QA have said that there has sometimes been the need to give new and expectant parents extra support during the pandemic, which has seen the hospital bring in new rules barring visitors.
So far more than 1,000 babies have been born across Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust sites since lockdown was announced.
Helen Bland, director of midwifery at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: ‘Having a baby is always an exciting time but, during this pandemic, understandably some expectant mums and their loved ones have been feeling anxious. Our midwives, doctors and support staff have worked with them to ensure that women giving birth in the care of PHT continue to feel fully supported throughout their pregnancy journey.
‘All individuals and teams within our maternity services have had to adapt to different ways of working to help reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19.
‘Although this continues to be a difficult time, our incredible maternity workforce has met this challenge with enthusiasm, care and compassion.
‘Our teams continue to work hard to ensure that the care given to women is the best it can be.’