STARTING a journey into motherhood can be difficult enough, but during a pandemic has surely been harder.

We gave new mums who gave birth during lockdown the chance to share their baby with the world.

As lockdown restrictions ease, many are now getting to meet family and friends for the first time, definitely a time for celebration.

Or you can email claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk

Meet some of the region's newest residents...

• CASEY LEE BOLTON born on June 5 at Wrexham Maelor Hospital

The Leader:

Parents: Ashleigh-Jayde Pinkerton and Jordan Bolton

Weight: 5lbs 1oz

Siblings: Riley and Logan

• FREDDIE GEORGE SINGLETON born on June 9 at Wrexham Maelor Hospital

The Leader:

Parents: Laura Hughes and Stephen Singleton

Weight: 7lbs 3oz

"Having a baby during coronavirus was not easy. Freddie did not see his daddy for three days after he was born. It was a difficult labour with complications but the midwives and health care assistants at Wrexham Maelor Hospital made the situation easier throughout the labour and after. I am a nurse but seeing what they do has made me consider retraining to become a midwife."

• ESMÉ ELIZABETH SPENCER born on July 9 at Glan Clwyd Hospital

The Leader:

Parents: Louise and Nathan Spencer

Weight: 7lb 12oz

Siblings: Jack Spencer

• SCARLETT LOSIE RIDER born on July 5 at Chester

The Leader:

Above: Mum Alicia is pictured inset as a baby, held proudly by much loved and missed grandad Ivor Lloyd.

Parents: Alicia and Sam Rider

Weight: 8lb 7oz

Siblings: Ruby and Tyler

Tell us your birth story

"After my grandad sadly passed away in October, I was blessed with the news of our gorgeous baby girl to arrive on July 11, close to my grandad's birthday of July 13. She was born in lockdown on July 5, and we decided to call her Scarlett as my grandad used to sing Scarlett Ribbons to me as a child. We're absolutely madly in love and will keep my grandad's memory alive with her forever, as well as being born through the pandemic. I would like to thank my husband Sam Rider and all the nurses and staff at Chester maternity unit for all their help and support, as with my previous children I was able to have my mum there with me but due to the pandemic I could not and was very worried about giving birth without the invaluable support of my mum Christine Fraser. We all did great and on July 5 at 22:04 our little princess came into the world!"