Pregnant women in Dumbarton and the Vale have shared an insight into what it is like to face giving birth during a global pandemic.

The Vale of Leven Hospital is no longer allowing expectant mothers in, but instead transferring all soon-to-be mums to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

All routine appointments and postnatal care for pregnant women have been reduced, with some carried out over the phone to keep to the social distancing guidelines.

Shannon Anderson, 23, from Renton, who is expecting her second baby after the summer, told the Reporter: “Partners aren’t allowed in until you are essentially ready to give birth which is a bit of a nightmare.”

She is concerned about putting her health at risk to go out to the local supermarkets to get vital baby supplies and preparations for her unborn child.

READ MORE: Dumbarton group praised for keeping members connected during lockdown

Shannon said: “Getting baby clothes is proving to be really hard just now especially in the newborn sizes.

“Loads of places aren’t delivering just now and the few places who are don’t have the sizes I need.”

Shannon has been reassured that her future appointments will still be going ahead as planned.

She added: “The last few appointments I’ve had they have phoned the day before or the morning of my appointment just to make sure I will be attending and I am not showing any symptoms.

“At my last appointment they did have a few chairs sitting outside of the maternity unit for partners if they wanted to wait outside.”

Pregnant women are in the high-risk category, along with those aged over 70, and have been advised to self-isolate for 12 weeks to protect them – and their unborn child – from the potentially deadly pandemic.

Gemma, who does not wish to share her surname, also stays in Renton and is due to have her baby boy in less than three weeks.

As the 22-year-old is so close to her due date she calls her midwife who works in the Vale hospital for advice. But she repeatedly gets reminded that there is nothing they can do.

She says she feels as though she has been left in the dark about the after-birth plans and midwife visits once her baby is here.

She told the Reporter: “I haven’t been offered any after birth support, so I have been asking my mum questions.

“I am a bit anxious about it all as it’s something I’ve never experienced before, and with everything going on, it’s not ideal.”

Gemma had plans of having her fiancé and her mum as birthing partners, but now has to make the decision of picking one.

“I am scared to go out as I don’t want to catch anything and pass it on to my unborn baby.”

Another mum from Dumbarton, who discovered the gender of her first child last week, was not allowed to have her boyfriend by her side at the 20-week scan.

The mum, who did not wish to be named, said: “It is utterly heart-breaking to find out the sex of your unborn child without having your partner there.

“It is meant to be a special moment to treasure for the rest of your life. It simply isn’t the same.”

She also reveals the plans for her birth if Covid-19 continues to the summer.

“I have been having regular check-up phone calls with the midwives from Paisley, who are all so lovely and supportive.

“If the country is still in lockdown by May, then I will have to face the thought of giving birth alone which is terrifying.

“I never expected the journey of having a child leaving me feeling petrified and alone. It is a journey that should be celebrated and shared with the ones you care about, not trapped inside left in the unknown.”

All the expectant mothers praised the local hard-working NHS staff for doing their best in the situation.