What is it like giving birth during a pandemic?

Throughout the pandemic, the NHS has had to temporarily limit some types of care and treatment on offer - but one area of care that has continued throughout is maternity.

As we mark the 72nd anniversary of our NHS, ITV News was given special access to the labour ward at Swansea's Singleton Hospital to meet the mothers and midwives.

Diana Dinca recently gave birth to baby Matei, who is oblivious to the extraordinary situation around him.

Diana is very much in love with her new son and is settling into motherhood, although the pandemic did put paid to one special moment.

"I will never forget that I had to wear a mask, so I couldn't kiss him. I couldn't give him the first kiss," she said.

Diana Dinca with her newborn son, Matei.

Laura Evans had baby Millie at Singleton Hospital ten weeks ago and said she was very nervous beforehand.

"A week before I was due to be induced, I tried switching to a home birth," she said.

"I was so scared of going into hospital in case we possibly came into contact with any of the symptoms, but when we got there the midwives were amazing."

Laura is deaf and relies on being able to lip-read. From the outset, her midwife wanted to make sure that while safety wasn't compromised, Laura's labouring experience wasn't either.

Laura Evans with baby Millie.

Almost 1,000 babies have been born during lockdown at Singleton Hospital. For the consultants and midwives continuing to work during the pandemic, it's very much business as usual. "Our service has remained the same quality as it was before Covid. Women have received the same care," said consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Madhu Dey.

"Yes, there have been changes to visiting times and who can be present during labour, but the quality and standard of our care has remained the same."

The new mothers are full of praise for the midwives at Singleton Hospital - but the midwives are also full of praise for the mums.

Jane Phillips, head of midwifery, said: "The women have been really understanding - there have been big changes for them, like having a postnatal ward where their partners are not there to support them in the early days.

"But the women have just adapted. They seem to have been quite calm and enjoyed having time with their babies."