IT WAS a bumper Christmas Day for the midwifery team at Newport’s Royal Gwent, where no less than 10 new arrivals came into the world to make the day extra-special for their families. IAN CRAIG spoke to some of the new parents.

First to arrive was Archie Jay Arnold, who was delivered to Beth Watts, and Jay Arnold from Newport at 1.06am weighing 8lbs 4oz.

Beauty therapist Miss Watts, aged 24, said: “He’s done really well and been really good.

“We thought he was coming on Christmas Eve – I’ve always seen the pictures in the paper of Christmas Day babies but I never thought it would be me.”

Yana and David Blake-Walker from Newport also became parents for the first time on Friday, welcoming their first daughter Eden Fay at 12.34pm – four days later than expected.

New mum Mrs Blake-Walker, aged 28, said: “She’s really well-behaved.”

Mr Blake-Walker, aged 31, said: “She’s had a bit of a grizzle but she’s so quiet.”

Soon after at 1.10pm Jaxon Rossiter arrived at a very healthy 8lbs 9.5oz to mum Zoe Hall and dad Joshua Rossiter.

Miss Hall, aged 23, said Jaxon had been a bit of a surprise arrival.

“He was due on the 27th,” she said. “We are just waiting to find out when we can go home.”

Mr Rossiter, aged 21, added: “He has been good so far.

“We’ll see.”

Caleb Marc Williams was also delivered at 4.14pm to 18-year-old Ashley Strickland and 17-year-old Ben Williams from Swffryd, weighing 7lbs 8ozs, while Nicola Millard, aged 36, and Matthew Lewis, owners of The Cellar pub in Caldicot, became proud mum and dad to baby Faith, who arrived one day early, weighing 7lbs and 11oz.

Mr Lewis, aged 24, said: “It’s been quite a Christmas.”

Kyra Myers and Luke Ross from Newport also welcomed their first child when Harrison Ross was delivered by caesarean section at 6.31pm weighing 8lbs 9oz.

Miss Myers, aged 22, said: “We were expecting him on the 18th.

”He has been very good so far.”

At 9.19pm George Joseff Sweeting arrived to mum Leanne Sweeting and Josh Philips from Newport weighing 7lbs 13oz.

Miss Sweeting already has a 16-year-old daughter Abigail from a previous relationship, who was on hand during the birth.

The new mum said: “We lost both his great-grandparents a few years ago, so we think this is their way of saying we should enjoy Christmas.”

Last but far from least was Theo-Jai Murray, who was delivered by caesarean section at 10.21pm weighing 8lbs 11ozs.

Mum Lauren Jones, aged 19, said she and Theo’s dad Aaron Murray, aged 20 – who both work at Tesco in Newport – had been ready for their new son to make an appearance for some time.

“We were expecting him on the 12th, she said.

Although Christmas was over, it was far from the end of the work for the staff at the Royal Gwent, with six more babies delivered before 7.30am on Boxing Day morning.

Abergavenny’s Nevill Hall Hospital was much quieter, with only one baby delivered during Christmas Day.