New mum tells of relief after partner was allowed to stay on ward during lockdown

Mum and baby were kept in hospital for a week.

A new mum has told of her relief after her partner was allowed to stay with her when she was kept in hospital due to her baby having a breathing problem.

Chantelle Thomson, 22, gave birth to baby Steven Leslie Parker Lorimer on March 24, just after the UK went into lockdown.

Baby Steven was born with a hole in his lung and had breathing problems so was immediately taken into intensive care for a day and a half.

Chantelle and Steven with baby Steven and Leo, 5

He was kept in hospital for six nights along with Chantelle, but as they were in a separate room and under instructions not to leave it, the baby’s father Steven Lorimer, 19, was allowed to stay with them.

This was a relief to Chantelle, who had had a C-section, as it meant he could help her care for the new baby.

He was even able to be the first person to feed baby Steven in intensive care.

Lyndsay with first grandchild Steven

After a few days the lockdown rules became more strict so Chantelle spent the final night alone in hospital with baby Steven.

“It was quite worrying at first,” she said.

“But it was a lot easier with Steven there – he could give me a hand with the baby.”

Once home from hospital, Steven’s mother Lyndsay Nolan, 42, was also able to help, as she lives with her son and under lockdown rules children were allowed to move between their parents’ households.

Lyndsay was ‘over the moon’ to meet her first grandchild, and set up a paddling pool in her garden, which baby Steven has enjoyed along with his brother Leo, 5.