A COUPLE whose baby was delivered in a supermarket car park have shared their experience of raising a family in a pandemic.

Hannah and Andy Howells from Southampton made headlines this time last year when their baby was delivered in a supermarket car park.

The couple were on their way to Princess Anne Hospital on April 19, 2020 when they realised they were not going to make it in time.

Despite efforts to flag down a passing ambulance, the couple decided there was nothing else for it and pulled into the Sainsbury’s Local car park in Hill Lane.

Here Andy helped to deliver his own son whilst on the phone to a 999 call handler who talked him through it.

Baby Wilf was born weighing 6lbs 7oz, and now almost a year on, the couple have spoken out about what it has been like raising a young family during the pandemic.

Having not had much interaction with the outside world due to lockdown the family say they have some worries about “going back to normal”.

Mum, Hannah, said: “Wilf starts nursery next month and I am already losing sleep for worrying. I feel a sinking feeling in my stomach when I think about handing him over at the door when he starts.

“He has barely had close contact with our dearest friends or even one set of grandparents, so how does this next step even seem fair on him?”

Now mental health chairity, Solent Mind, has claimed that for it is “worrying” many families taking young children back into the world and is offering advice to parents in the same position.

Clare Grant, Assistant Director of Services said: “It is important to remember you are the most important thing for your child – looking after yourself and your own wellbeing is being a good parent and you will not be judged for finding it hard.”

Hannah claims she has learnt important lessons while parenting in a pandemic though, adding: “I’ve learned that it’s ok to cry and it’s ok not to be okay, and I would encourage other parents to tell themselves this as well.”