WHILE it may be normal for a child’s first word to be mama, it was certainly more poignant for one Hampshire dad to hear his son call out that name.

For 13-month-old Christopher Pickett never really met his mum, who died just days after giving birth at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

Teacher Jasmine Pickett was one of two mums who died from a rare infection after giving birth in the same ward in December 2007.

For Christopher’s dad, David, it has brought some comfort, despite the family’s short time together.

David, 43, a civil engineer, of Colden Common, said: “There are pictures of Jasmine around the house and when I carry him around I point at the pictures and say ‘that’s mama’. So now he obviously recognises her. It’s very touching. He seems to say her name more than mine.”

Now, a year on, David is hoping an inquest into his wife’s death will provide some answers so that one day he can explain to Christopher how she died.

He said: “ We will just have to wait and see what the coroner will say as I don’t know what to expect. It will be a very difficult time for me as it will bring it all back up again.

“The main thing is that I get an explanation for her death. When Christopher is older he is bound to ask questions and this will help him understand.”

Like most new parents, David has found it difficult finding a balance between work and fatherhood.

He said: “He’s a delightful little boy but it’s hard work. I’m learning a lot because I’ve been thrown in at the deep end. I’m still working but finding it quite hard. My parents have been brilliant.

They take care of him while I’m at work and I couldn’t manage without them. Some of my close friends help too.

“Ideally I would spend a lot more time with him but there has to be a balance. I’m with him as much as any working father would be.

“It’s all a big learning process.

Things like the weekend shop are difficult. Putting Christopher in the car when you have bags full of shopping is very difficult.

But we find ways of managing.

It’s amazing how innovative you can be to overcome things.”

As reported in the Daily Echo last April, Jasmine’s sister Nerissa Dizon offered to help David look after her nephew.

A trained nanny, the 25-yearold quit her job and left family and friends in the Philippines to care for Christopher at David’s Hampshire home.

Despite the blessings of embassy officials in London and Manila, a processing error on her visa saw her deported but Nerissa will get a decision in the next two weeks as to whether she can return to England.

David added: “It might be a tourist visa or a family visa, but the authorities have made it very clear that she won’t be able to work as my nanny.”

Last August father and son travelled to the Philippines for two weeks so that Christopher could meet his relatives.

David added: “I’m keen to maintain strong contacts with his family. It was great to see them again. They were delighted to see Christopher and all wanted to cuddle him.

“He really took to his grandfather.

He was over the moon when he saw Christopher. It was so nice as his grandfather is quite reserved normally.”

Despite the circumstances surrounding Jasmine’s death it seems the future is bright for this tight-knit family.

David added: “It’s good to come back to him in the evenings. He’s getting stronger and trying to walk a bit more. He means the world to me.”

■ An inquest into the deaths of Jasmine Pickett and Amy Kimmance will be held at Winchester Coroner’s Court this spring.