Imagine not having someone's hand to hold when you're bringing a new life into this world...

As the sun drops behind Derriford hospital, the night shift has only just begun for the midwives delivering newborns into our world and most importantly bringing families together. But stricter rules have been reinforced to keep mothers and babies safe in this pandemic, taking precautions to stop the spread of this invisible killer.

This means family members and partners will not be allowed in the room to share that special moment of seeing your baby being born.

Even 24 hours after the birth it's only the exhausted mother and newborn baby. Why? Because as it stands tonight the government have reported 1408 deaths from Covid-19 in the UK and this has become the new reality. Families are no longer able to be together to meet their own baby, sibling or grandchild. No longer the first person their little fingers will touch, eyes will see and voice they hear.

I know I haven't experienced pregnancy or had a baby, but I know just how worried expecting couples are. I spoke to a couple (who are keeping the pregnancy a surprise) about how they feel about these measures and what it means to them.

"I feel angry and frustrated and most of all devestated that my child and her dad might not get their bonding moment."

The mum to be added:

"Yet we still have all these selfish people going outside even though its a lockdown and could prevent the babies father from seeing her properly, like the scans."

These are crucial moments of parenting and now, it has to be missed. In 2018 there were 2060 babies being born every day according to Tommy's stats and we can only assume that has increased this year. Papers are even expecting a 'baby boom' at the start of next year because of the pandemic and having to stay home, isolating with your partners.

This pandemic has been hard for each and every one of us in our own way but I think it is important to express these concerns and hope that people listen to the Government guidance and just look after by each other by staying indoors.

Other mums who have recently given birth have said they 'feel anxious' about the virus and I can understand how bringing a child into our world right now is a worrying time for all the pregnant women. Jack Worth, 20 who has become a first-time dad before the pandemic and he says:

"It is a vital moment especially in my circumstance where I actually got to watch my baby be born it was definitely something I couldn't miss."

And if this doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what will.

Another soon to be mum who is 34 weeks pregnant, Emma Payne has expressed her worries about giving birth alone and has started a petition on Change.org because 'no woman should birth alone.' The more we don't listen to the stricter it will become leaving mothers with no hands to hold when they need it the most.

Derriford hospitals, along with other hospitals have put this on their website to warn people of the measures they have to put into place, but Payne fears they will only become stricter.

(Click here to read the website)

But for the expecting parents, he has been told he is not allowed to the scan or with his wife because he is a key worker and the risk is too high. The fact that the mum to be can't even see any of her family members until she returns home when all she wants is a hug makes your hearts sink a little.

All these women are asking people to do is listen, and if they can make you listen I'm sure they are going to be great mothers too.

Stay smiling, stay home

Z