Riley makes an early arrival as first-born baby of the new year

Reporter

Wednesday 2 January 2013

It was a case of the early bird taking the glory as baby Riley arrived after the bells to claim the honour of Scotland's first-born of 2013.

THAT'S MY BOY: Mother Angela Lafferty with Riley, who was born at 12.04am at Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital. Left, Sarah Gray and partner Ross Davidson with Islay at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Pictures: Christian Cooksey, Steve Cox

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CAROLINE WILSON

Proud mother Angela Lafferty, 39, gave birth to her fourth child more than three weeks early at 12.04am yesterday, making him Scotland's first baby of the new year.

He came in to the world at Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital, tipping the scales at 5lb 15oz.

Angela, from Greenock, said: "I'm still in shock. He was due on January 24 but I'm just happy it's all over and done with."It's something to tell him about when he's older."Angela, a bank worker, was rushed to her local hospital, Inverclyde Royal, early on Monday after her blood pressure soared.She was then transferred to the RAH for checks and was hoping to make it home for the bells. But little Riley had other ideas.She said: "I had been examined by the doctor. After I stepped off the bed my waters broke. The midwife said to me, 'You are not going anywhere.'"Riley was born four hours later with proud father James by Angela's side.Angela, whose other children are Chantelle, 16, Brandon, four, and two-year-old Kyle, said: "That's quite long for me. The others were born in around an hour."They were all born early though."They took him away to check him out because he was so small but he's fine. He's a good baby."Angela says the addition of little Riley has completed her family, saying: "That's me finished."James, who is studying at college, said: "I was really hoping he would be a new year baby. I was watching the clock."First-time mother Catherine Conway, 20, and partner Michael French, 23, were also celebrating parenthood yesterday after their baby boy kept them guessing until the last moment.Little Reece checked in at 12.15 yesterday morning and was the first baby of the new year born at Glasgow's Princess Royal Maternity Hospital, weighing 8lb 15oz.She said: "He was due on December 28 but nothing happened."I wasn't supposed to be induced until January 1 so it was a bit of a shock when I got contractions on Sunday night."We're very happy that he is finally here."The first bouncing boy at Ayrshire Maternity Unit arrived at 1.05am, to proud parents Nicola Gouldstone and David Stevenson from Galston. Leon tipped the scales at 11lb 3oz, and is a brother to four-year-old Brandon and 14-month-old Jayden. Islay Davidson was the first baby born in 2013 at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.Islay arrived at 12.22am, weighing 5lb 9oz and proud mother Sarah Gray, 21, said her first-born couldn't wait to become a New Year's Day baby – she was 23 days premature.Sarah and handyman partner Ross Davidson, 24, of Leith, were over the moon with their daughter, who was born with a shock of jet black hair.Sarah said: "She was due towards the end of January but she obviously wanted to see in the new year. It's an amazing start to the year."

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Riley makes an early arrival as first-born baby of the new year

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