Christmas baby boom (From This Is Wiltshire)

Christmas baby boom

12:00pm Friday 28th December 2007

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THREE west Wiltshire families enjoyed a Christmas with a difference after welcoming new babies into the world.

Jack James Sutherland was an early Christmas present for his parents, as he was due on December 29.

His arrival four days early at 9.10am on Christmas morning was a bit of a shock for mum Hayley, 27, who went into labour just after midnight.

Mrs Sutherland, who lives in Tyning Road, Winsley, with husband Aiden, 35, said: "We thought it would probably be in January because everyone says your first one is late. Obviously he must have just wanted to see Father Christmas."

The couple's parents delayed their Christmas Day meal so they could visit their new grandson, who weighed 7lb 6oz, in hospital in Trowbridge and the whole family celebrated Christmas together on Boxing Day.

Although he is a Christmas baby, the couple decided against naming him anything festive and went for the most popular name for boys born in 2007 Jack.

Mrs Sutherland said: "We thought it would be a bit surreal to name him something festive.

"Jack is quite a common name but it's been popular for years and we like it."

Ava Letetia Watts was so desperate to come into the world she arrived 10 days early and in her grandparents' living room.

Mum Kristal Watts, 20, of High Street, Semington, only went into labour at 9.30pm and never made it into hospital before Ava was born at 12.39am.

By the time the paramedics arrived at her parents' house in Poulton, Bradford on Avon, she was about to give birth.

She said: "It was a big shock because she wasn't due until January 4.

"It was nice not having to go to hospital and having her at mum and dad's house though. I thought dad was going to have to deliver her at one point."

Having given birth at her parents' house Miss Watts did not have a cot or any baby supplies with her and little Letetia had to sleep in a box for her first few hours until she could go to her own home.

Her father Leslie, 57, said: "If it was good enough for Jesus it's good enough for my granddaughter.

"Let's face it, you couldn't get a better Christmas present than a new grandchild."

Baby Ava was born at a healthy weight of 6lb 13oz and mum and baby are now settling into life together at home in Semington.

Hayley Short was born at 12.57pm on Christmas Day, just one day early, weighing 6lb 7oz, a first child for mum Lucy-Beth Pugh, 21, and dad Daniel Short, also 21, of Trowbridge.

Miss Short had a few false alarms and went into the Royal United Hospital in Bath five times before they said she was ready to be admitted.

In the end she was delivered by caesarean section before mum and baby were transferred to Trowbridge to recuperate.

Grandfather Cyril Harberd said: "It was a very nice Christmas present."

• For all the Christmas babies pictures see this week's Wiltshire Times.

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