Despite the headlines around Christmas and New Year about pressure on hospitals around the country, 18 babies still made their arrival at Queen's Hospital, Romford. A month later we caught up with parents to see how life is like with a newborn baby in lockdown.

Tyler Rodwell was the first boy to be born on Christmas Day, arriving at 3.13am – just a day before his actual due date on Boxing Day. He is the first child for Rebecca Bacon, 21, and David Rodwell, 29, who live in Dagenham.

"It's our first baby so we don't actually know what it's like to have one out of lockdown!" says Rebecca.

"In the run-up, lockdown didn't affect us that much, apart from my partner not being able to come to appointments.

"Because he was a winter baby, we weren't planning to do anything anyway but it did mean that we had to isolate for the first 10 days after the birth with no family being able to come and meet the baby - which was hard and really emotional."

"But to be honest we were so worried about the whole virus situation anyway, if we needed something we contact our parents and they bring it down to us. We really don't want to put the baby at risk at all anyway."

Rebecca said that she kept being told that he'd be a Christmas Day baby.

She explains: "But I was sure he wouldn’t be! I started to have pains on the Monday and went into hospital on Christmas Eve. I was pushing for less than an hour and he was here.

“You can’t put the feeling into words, he was so perfect and to arrive on Christmas Day was really special. The staff were unbelievable, there was lots of Christmas spirit and everyone was so lovely. I couldn’t have asked for better.”

After the excitement of their festive arrival, the new family enjoyed their Christmas dinner on New Year’s Day.

Romford Recorder: Little Luna Martin arrived at 7am on Christmas Day.Little Luna Martin arrived at 7am on Christmas Day. (Image: Queen's Hospital)

Little Luna Martin turned out to be the best present for first-time parents Lily Tempest and Arron Martin, both 21, when she arrived exactly on her due date.

Lily, of Lynwood Drive, Collier Row, said: “Originally she was due on December 30, but her due date changed to Christmas Day. What are the chances? It was so exciting. I went in at 7pm on Christmas Eve and she arrived at 7am. It was a pretty long labour. The midwives were all lovely.

“I found it really calming in hospital and it was really nice chatting to all the other mums afterwards. I’m quite chatty anyway!”

Romford Recorder: Gursimran Birdi, here with dad Gurmit, was originally due mid-January but made an early appearance.Gursimran Birdi, here with dad Gurmit, was originally due mid-January but made an early appearance. (Image: Queen's Hospital)

Gursimran Birdi made an early appearance, having been due in mid-January, joining big brother Harman, five.

Dad Gurmit, of Elgin Road, Ilford, said: “It was unexpected but very good and Harman is excited about being a big brother.

“We now have one of each which is very special, I feel our family is complete.”

Mum Hardeep, 39, and baby came home on Wednesday, December 30.

Romford Recorder: Gursimran Birdi with mum Hardeep.Gursimran Birdi with mum Hardeep. (Image: Queen's Hospital)

Another little one making their appearance just one day early, having been due on Boxing Day, was Kaysen Sotiriou – interrupting his family’s Christmas lunch.

Mum Siji, 32, went into labour on Christmas Day, just as they were getting ready to eat. She said: “We’d prepared lunch but we didn’t get to eat it. It was pretty crazy, especially as my daughter, Ariya, four, had previously tested positive for Covid.

“The labour team were great and it was definitely special that he arrived on Christmas Day. Now we just have to figure out how to ensure his birthday is special for him as well as being Christmas.”

Dad Anthony completes the family, who live in Hornchurch.

All new mums received a Christmas gift for them and their babies, including a hat, lovingly knitted by the nan of Alexandra Taylor, the labour ward manager.

Alexandra, who has worked the past eight Christmas Days, said: “Working Christmas Day has always been a privilege of mine.

"Although I don’t get to spend it with my own family, I get to support new mums in their birth of their bundle of joy, creating their own families. It really is such a special moment and on such a special day.”