How Yorkshire's new and expectant parents have coped during the coronavirus pandemic

Medical and child experts have warned of the emotional and mental health worries new parents face, as they tackle major uncertainty amid the global pandemic.

As part of a special investigation by The Yorkshire Post parents from around the region have spoken of the emotional anguish they felt due to the lack of support before, during and after the birth because of the strict measures introduced by hospitals.

You can read the full investigation here.Experts and data suggests that extra support is needed to support new parents in Yorkshire bringing babies into the world without state and family support during the coronavirus lockdown.

A recent report by the Children's Commissioner for England showed “concerns about the long term effects for the mental health and wellbeing of both mothers and their children.”

The findings come as an estimated 7,500 babies have been born in Yorkshire during full lockdown measures and 76,000 nationwide, with parents denied the usual family and state support networks because of lockdown restrictions and most health visitor "visits" carried out remotely.

Meanwhile one first-time mother said the three days she spent alone before giving birth to her first child, due to her partner only being allowed to stay during 'active labour' and five hours after the birth, were among the loneliest of her life.

Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner for England, has urged the NHS to “up its game” to support the new parents in Yorkshire bringing babies into the world without state and family support during the coronavirus lockdown.

Mrs Longfield said it was “vital the Government response has to be getting support to those who badly need it, finding new ways of working that don’t leave them isolated, and going the extra mile for those who were isolated and on whom it’s taken its toll. She added this is a time for the “whole system to up its game, not to take a step back.”