Family praises hospital staff following birth of ‘lockdown baby’ Matilda

Monday 15 March 2021

Covid-related restrictions and lockdowns seem to be continually putting the brakes on our lives, but sometimes life continues to move forward in wonderful ways. Express spoke to one family who brought a new child into the world during the second lockdown.

Matilda Cornes is truly a lockdown baby. Her parents Felicity and Jake found out they were pregnant during the tail end of last year’s lockdown, and Matilda was born only three days after the beginning of the second.

The young family shared their story and praised the hospital staff who helped deliver Matilda under extraordinary circumstances.

Pictured: Matilda was born on 27 January at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

“The staff were amazing,” said Felicity. “We had a really nice midwife and I had great support from all the staff afterwards. They all came round to congratulate me."

It was by no means straightforward. Felicity had to be taken in for an emergency c-section – believed to be the first during the second lockdown - and she says this was incredibly scary at the time.

"The surgical team were amazing,” she said. “I was really upset but they calmed me down, they got the spinal tap and kept talking to me.”

The c-section was the only part of the experience that Jake couldn’t be present for.

Jake was allowed to stay in the PEH for as long as he wanted, as long as he did not come and go, and had an agonising wait for his wife and newborn child to come to him. 

Pictured: "Matilda is a very content baby girl," said Felicity.

The family were allowed a support bubble due to their extreme circumstances and the need for family support. They decided to bubble with Jake’s mum. Felicity has made peace with the fact that Matilda won’t be meeting her family yet, as they’re based in the UK.

“Without this lockdown, without covid, they would’ve already come over,” said Jake.

Felicity and Jake went through a rough patch after the birth as Felicity caught an infection and had a severe reaction to her antibiotics, leading her to be in and of hospital numerous times. Neither Felicity or Jake got much sleep during this time, but Matilda was going from strength to strength.

“She’s done well all the way through,” said Jake. “While we’ve been struggling, she’s been brilliant!”

We know life doesn’t stop for covid, and many families have gone through similar experiences. Felicity said the hospital staff have been “amazing” and that anyone with concerns about going to the hospital for a birth should take comfort in her story.

“Trust them, they are there to look after you,” she said.