AS well as sharing his birthday with Britain's newest Royal baby, Ethan Tapper is his mum Sabrina O'Brien's little miracle.

By the time the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to her first child and third in line to the throne at 4.24pm on Monday afternoon, Ethan - born at 12.16am - was already ensconced in the Royal Gwent Hospital's neonatal unit.

And his mum was still coming to terms with the reality of a successful pregnancy after enduring years of heartbreak through 11 miscarriages.

"It's been a very long road and it still hasn't really sunk in yet," said Ms O'Brien, 28, who lives with Ethan's dad Stephen Tapper in Newport.

"Every time I've miscarried it has been a little harder to carry on. I've suffered from depression but we've got there. He's lovely."

Ms O'Brien can conceive, but her problems have been in carrying a baby, due to problems caused because her blood is too thick.

"This time I realised I was pregnant a lot earlier than before, so they were able to start me on Fragmin (a blood thinning agent) a lot earlier," she said.

Throughout her pregnancy Ms O'Brien had to inject herself daily in the abdomen with Fragmin, and was regularly monitored by those responsible for her care.

"They've kept a very close eye on me all the way through, but it hasn't been easy. I've had problems with my pelvis and an irritable bowel as well this time, but it has been worth it," said Ms O'Brien.

At 4lb 11oz Ethan, born around three weeks early, is almost half the weight of the new Royal arrival, who tipped the scales at 8lb 6oz.

With having had a Caesarian section, making sure Ethan is doing well in the neonatal unit, and fielding lots of congratulatory telephone calls, Ms O'Brien has not had much time to catch up on the Royal Baby drama.

But as well as Ethan sharing a Royal birthday, April 29 is also a special date for both Ms O'Brien and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

"That's two coincidences now, because William and Kate were married on my birthday," she said.

ANOTHER mum who experienced the joy of new motherhood on the same day as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is Kylie Ryan, 24, of Tredegar.

The Royal baby was more than sen hours old when Ms Ryan, 24, gave birth to son Jaxon Mounteney at 11.29pm at Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny.

"There were four of us in labour and we were all rushing to get the babies out before midnight so we could say we gave birth on the same day (as the Royal baby)," said Ms Ryan.

"We were the last ones. We just made it!"

Little Jaxon was two weeks early, but was born healthy and weighing 6lb 1oz. Miss Ryan was in the early stages of labour at 4.30am, and had a long wait until Jaxon finally emerged.

"We didn’t think it would happen on the same day," said dad Scott Mounteney, 32.

Zohaib and Makhdomah Hassan, from Newport, were married during the same month - April 2011 - as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Mrs Hassan, 23, was delivered of their first child on the same day as the Royal baby.

Sukayna-Fatemah Hassan was born within an hour of the Royal baby, at 5.16pm on Monday, weighing 7lbs.

THOUSANDS of people will be sending gifts to the Royal Baby, but one Pontypool trader is having her gift delivered by the baby's grandfather.

Sarah Hillier, who owns Custom Ur Own Teddy in the town's indoor market, presented Prince Charles with the gift for the Prince William and Kate Middleton’s first child who was born on Monday, earlier this month.

Sarah met the Prince of Wales when he officially opened The Prince's Trust's new Cardiff centre as part of his week-long visit to Wales.

Sarah, aged 27, has launched a custom-made teddy business with support from The Prince’s Trust. The young mum presented the Prince of Wales with a custom-made bear in military attire.

It will be one of many gifts the new third in line to the throne will doubtless receive after the baby boy was born on Monday afternoon.

Amid chaotic scenes outside the Lindo Wing of London’s St Mary’s hospital the announcement came at around 8pm, that the Duchess of Cambridge had given birth to a boy at 4.24pm.

MORE Gwent politicians have sent their congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle said: "Congratulations to the happy couple on the safe arrival of their baby boy. This is an exciting occasion and I wish them all the best."

Torfaen council leader, Cllr Bob Wellington said: "The birth of baby child is always a cause of celebration and I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to this couple, and all couples that have been lucky enough to receive a new member into their family. I wish them every happiness, both now and in the future."

Mayor of Torfaen, councillor Neil Mason said: "It is wonderful news and I’m sure the couple are over the moon. I am delighted to offer them my congratulations and wish them the very best as proud new parents."

Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay said: "It’s wonderful news and I’m pleased for them both and for the country. I’m sure that the people of Monmouthshire and across the whole UK are delighted by the news, and pleased most of all that mother and baby are doing well."

David Davis, MP for Monmouthshire, said: "I’m absolutely delighted for the royal couple. I hope His Royal Highness and his wife can get a few good nights' sleep.

"They must be over the moon, like everyone else as well. It’s a great way to start the summer. I hope they have many more!"

Councilor David Dovey, chairman of Monmouthshire council, said: "On behalf of the council, I would like to offer my congratulations to the Royal couple. I am absolutely delighted that the baby is safe and well and that his mother is fine.

"I am sure that the Royal couple will make every effort to ensure that they do not miss a moment of their adventure with their new son."

Councillor Peter Fox, leader of Monmouthshire council, said: "The birth of an heir to the throne is always a special occasion, and one that I know the people of Monmouthshire will join me in celebrating. And it’s also significant that for the first time in over a century, we have three living heirs.

"Amidst the pomp and sense of national occasion, there is a human story here - that of a young couple bringing a child into the world and facing together the challenge and infinite joy of parenthood. I wish them every good fortune and happiness."

Dimitri Batrouni, leader of the Labour group on Monmouthshire council, said: "I am pleased to hear mother and child are doing well, and I wish the new family all the best in the future."

COMMENT

WE recognise some of our readers will find little to celebrate in the birth of a Royal baby.

But we believe many more will recognise the significance and importance of Monday's new arrival.

After all, the as-yet-unnamed Prince of Cambridge will one day be Britain's king.

There has been huge interest from across the world in the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first child.

But that led to a media frenzy - particularly across 24-hour television news channels - that has often been a mind-numbing succession of talking heads spouting the most banal information imaginable as they desperately fill airtime.

What we find a pleasure to report, however, is the genuine delight felt by local couples who had babies on the same day as William and Kate.

None more so than Sabrina O'Brien and her partner Stephen Tapper who celebrated the arrival of baby Ethan after Sabrina had suffered the heartbreak of 11 miscarriages.

Being born on the same day as the nation's future monarch is, of course, small beer compared to Ethan's arrival - although William and Kate were also married on Sabrina's birthday so there is more than one Royal link in this particular chain of events.

One thing is for certain - after the traumas suffered by Sabrina and Stephen, Ethan will always be their little prince.