Special delivery – Christmas Day babies born at St Thomas’ Hospital

While many of us opened presents and tucked into turkey on Christmas Day, midwives, nurses, medical teams and support staff at St Thomas’ Hospital were busy with some extra special deliveries.

Christmas Day saw the arrival of 11 babies at St Thomas’ Hospital – 6 girls and 5 boys – between 12.53am and 6.12pm.

Ashleigh Bonilla Tascon welcomed her son, Christian Arley, into the world at 11.10am, weighing 7lbs and 1oz.

Ashleigh, from Newham, who also has a 3-year-old son, said: “I was in hospital for a couple of days beforehand and had an induction. I got great attention on the day from my midwife Olivia – she was amazing.”

Around 6,300 babies are born at St Thomas’ Hospital each year.

Gina Brockwell, chief midwife at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “It always feels extra special when babies are born on Christmas Day. Congratulations to all the new parents and thank you to our wonderful and dedicated staff who work over the festive period.”