Baby Molly is first child to be born on Christmas Day in the West Midlands

Dec 26 2008 by Catherine Lillington, Birmingham Mail

THIS little bundle of joy is believed to be the first from the West Midlands to make her way into the world on Christmas Day, arriving at three minutes past midnight.

Proud mum Kate Hillman gave birth to little Molly at Solihull Hospital, a week ahead of schedule as she was expected to arrive on New Year’s Eve.

The 37-year-old former assistant producer, who has worked on the BBC’s Gardeners’ World, felt bloomin’ marvellous after she produced Molly following only three hours in labour.

Her third baby weighed in at 7lb 11oz and was the perfect Christmas present for her excited elder brothers Max, aged eight, and Edward, five.

Kate returned to her home in Catherine-de-Barnes later yesterday, to be with husband Mark and her mum Janet, in time for the whole family to spend their first Christmas together.

She said: “I was just preparing for Christmas when I felt the labour pains.

“It was all quite quick as I was only here about three hours before Molly was born. She was due on New Year’s Eve so she was early.

“My sons have been on the phone already and just said to me ‘when are you coming home? Father Christmas has been’. Hopefully I’ll get some rest later on and have one glass of champagne.

“I’m in complete shock that Molly is the first Christmas baby.”

Elsewhere it was anything but a silent night for midwives working at Heartlands Hospital, where 16 more babies arrived during the night – about double the average number. Midwife Laura Browne, who was working the day shift, said: “There were only about seven midwives on so they were rushed off their feet. It was quite an exciting night for everyone here.”