NEW arrivals across Oxfordshire have been bringing joy to families across the county.
Babies born during lockdown and afterwards have been a wonderful ray of sunshine for families coping with the coronavirus pandemic.
If you have become parents during recent months we would welcome you sending us photos of your new arrivals.
Loz and Steve Lawrence, from Didcot, were keen to let us know about their new baby Darcie-Jade.
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She was born at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, weighing just over 7lb.
Mrs Lawrence said: “Darcie-Jade arrived two days early on May 7, quite quickly after just three and a half hours of labour at 10.58pm.
“With all the madness going on in the world, my delivery felt very safe and welcoming, just like My other girls who were also delivered in the delivery suite at the JR.
“I can’t thank the midwives enough.”
As soon as Darcie-Jade was back home she was given a cuddle on the sofa by her three older sisters Lillie-Anne 10, Ellie-Grace, seven, and Lacie-Mae, five.
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Felicity Cawthra and her partner Norman Cawthra, from Carterton, have sent in pictures of their baby son Leo, a brother for James and Emily.
Leo Cawthra
Ms Cawthra said: “I was a high risk pregnancy and was under the Silver Star unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
“I was self isolating for the majority of the pregnancy.
“ I went into the JR to be induced on July 13 and had my little boy on July 15 at 12.29 am.”
Also celebrating are Mary Malone and Terry Griffin from Wantage, following the birth of their son, Jacob Malone-Griffin.
Jacob Malone-Griffin
He was born at the John Radcliffe Hospital last month weighing 6lb 2oz, a brother for Harvey.
Ms Malone said: “He was born at 11.05am on August 7. He had to be induced at 40 weeks and six days. He was born upside down facing upwards.”
Giving birth during a pandemic can add to women’s stress levels although midwives and nursing staff are doing everything they can to support families.
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At the moment, according to official guidance, no woman should have to give birth alone.
NHS England said: “Visiting is restricted to help stop the spread of coronavirus but our guidance is absolutely clear that a specific exception should be made for birthing partners when a woman is in labour.”
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) guidelines state that partners may not be able to accompany women during their induction and the early stages of labour because of physical distancing guidelines.
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But it added: “At the point you go into active labour, you will be moved to your own room and your birth partner will be able to join you.”
This is as long as they are not showing any signs of illness.
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