THERE were four bundles of joy delivered to parents on Christmas Day at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.

The first baby of the day, Lily Shatford, arrived at 3.57am weighing 7lbs 1oz after Bettws mum Samantha Elliott gave birth five days earlier than expected.

Ms Elliott said: “It was fine until the last couple of hours – then it all went pear shaped. I’ve had two days of no sleep.”

She had to be induced because Lily was facing the wrong way and said she coped with lots of gas and air.

Dad Dan Shatford was there to see Lily being born.

Ioan Hopkins was the second baby born at the Royal Gwent Hospital on Christmas morning, at 8.37am. His mum Seren Walmsley, from Caerphilly, went into labour on Christmas Eve at 4am and was transferred to Newport. She said Ioan, who weighed 9lbs 12oz, was “the best Christmas present ever.”

All four mothers who had their babies at the Royal Gwent Hospital on Christmas Day had their first children.

Jayden Derrick arrived at 5.20pm and weighed 8lbs 1oz on Christmas Day. His mum, Danielle Verity, from Mornington Meadows in Caerphilly, also had a Caesarean section after being induced on Monday because Jayden was a week overdue. She hopes they will both be able to go home today.

Chloe Evans arrived later still, at 7.57pm, weighing 8lbs 8oz. She was also a week overdue so mum Rachel Williams, from Ystrad Mynach, had a Caesarean section. Chloe’s dad Chris was on the way to the hospital yesterday morning to spend time with mother and daughter.