11lb 8oz Lilyrose was a big surprise (From Southend Standard)

11lb 8oz Lilyrose was a big surprise

5:00pm Wednesday 18th February 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(2)

A COUPLE got a big surprise when their baby daughter was born at home, weighing a whopping 11lb 8oz.

Baby Lilyrose was delivered at the Southend home of Georgina and Daniel Holmes, and midwives who helped deliver the heavyweight tot said she was the biggest they had ever seen during a home birth.

But the drama was not over once she had arrived, as after having got stuck at the shoulders in the final stages of delivery, Lilyrose had to be resuscitated immediately after birth.

Mrs Holmes, 31, of Leamington Road, said: “Watching them resuscitate her was just terrifying. It felt like a lifetime before she came round, but the midwives were amazing.

“Lilyrose was a big surprise, quite literally! It wasn’t until her head was delivered that anyone had any idea of her size, and then everyone’s faces just changed colour – they couldn’t believe it.”

Mrs Holmes, who had only gas and air during the birth, said the new arrival was settling in well, but added her size was causing a few teething problems.

“It’s been tricky because she doesn’t fit into anything we bought for her, so we’ve had to buy lots of new things,” she said.

Four midwives attended the birth and the couple paid tribute to the team’s calm professionalism, as they managed the delivery and revived the newborn baby.

Mr Holmes, 33, said: “Our midwife did an extremely good job and we are so grateful to her.”

Lilyrose was taken to Southend Hospital for a check-up, but is now back at home with siblings Finley, 18 months, and Oliver, eight.

Her proud parents were told that Lilyrose was the largest baby anyone in the midwifery team could remember delivering in a home birth.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(2)