Mothers leap for joy as 14 babies born in Shropshire on February’s extra day
Fourteen bundles of joy were born in Shropshire on Leap Day as February’s extra day proved particularly memorable at the county’s maternity units.
A total of 10 babies were born at the Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford yesterday. And a further four were born at Shropshire’s Midwife Led Units.
Anthea Gregory-Page, Acting Head of Midwifery at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: “A Leap Day birth is extra special as it only happens once every four years. We welcomed 14 babies into the world at our maternity and midwife led units yesterday.
“Parents have been really happy and cheerful and have been planning which day they are going to celebrate their newborn’s birthday. Several are planning big parties every four years.”
Among those who gave birth yesterday was Amy Richards, from Shrewsbury. The 21-year-old gave birth to baby Jack on the Delivery Suite in the Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre at 2.03pm.
It is the first baby for Amy and her partner Matt Mills, also 21.
Matt said: “It makes it even more special that Jack was born on Leap Day. We’ll celebrate his birthday each year on 28 February and 1 March.”
Natalie Taylor, aged 26 and from Broseley, gave birth to baby Reece Jones at 12.38pm. Reece is the first child for Natalie and her partner Richard Jones.
Natalie said: “It’s been a really special day. We’ll celebrate Reece’s birthday on 28 February.”
And Rebecca Wakeman and Austin Hayward welcomed their first child into the world at 3.32am yesterday. Rebecca, 23 and Austin, 27, will celebrate Jenson’s birthday on 28 February.
Rebecca, from Hadley in Telford, said: “It’s been a really memorable day.”
