Shropshire babies share landmark royal birthday

Seven girls and 10 boys were born in hospitals in Shropshire on Monday – with one family from Shrewsbury announcing the birth of twins.

The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital celebrated the arrival of 16 babies and one more was born in Ludlow.

The average number of babies born across Shropshire in 24 hours is 10. More babies than usual arrived overdue or early on Monday.

The first baby in Shropshire born on July 22 was baby boy May who was born at just 1.03am, while the last to make an appearance on the landmark day was also a boy. Baby Roberts rounded up the Shropshire newborns, arriving at 22.41pm.

Tiny tot Layla Molnarova Carter was the smallest arrival to share the royal birth date, weighing in at just 5lbs. Tipping the other end of the scale was baby Humphries, weighing in at 9lbs 12oz.

While the royal couple were yet to announce the name of their son, a handful of traditional Royal names were chosen for the Shropshire newborns including George, Charlie and Harry.

Cathy Smith, Head of Midwifery at SaTH Trust said: "Having a baby is always an exciting time. Mums will often remember where they were when they went into labour and what was playing on the radio so the memory of a royal birth on the same day is a lovely long-lasting memory. Shropshire parents can share their child's milestones with the prince and the royal couple every year.

"Giving birth on such a landmark day just adds to the parents own great occasion. Every baby born, on any day is very special, but this just adds another level of excitement to those involved. "

The Shropshire baby born closest to the time of the arrival of the royal prince was Charlie Joseph Cobbold who entered the world just 11 minutes before the royal birth. Born at 4.13pm, Charlie is the first child of Erica, 32 and Andy Cobbold, 34 from Radbrook, Telford.

New mum Erica, a Senior HR consultant at Princess Royal Hospital, was due on July 15, one of the rumoured due dates for the Duchess and baby Cobbold, overdue by a week, weighed a healthy 8lbs 14oz when born.

Mrs Cobbold said: "I was excited to be expecting the same time as Kate, we followed the plans of the couple and she always looked so fabulous while pregnant, I was surprised her son weighed close to Charlie, as her bump was tiny compared to mine.

"We were amazed when my mum told us the gender, date and almost the weight was the same as the royal prince. It's really nice that Charlie will share his milestones on the same day as the future king."

First time dad Andy said: "We loved the name Charlie but not because of any royal influence. He is our little miracle and we are thrilled to share our little prince with Shropshire."

With the world debating the sex of the child third in line to the throne, one couple from Shrewsbury solved any preference problems by having one of each.

Primary school teacher Hannah Ferris and husband Wayne celebrated the arrival of twins just hours before the duchess was admitted to hospital.

Hannah 40, and Wayne 38, are proud parents to Eve Kathryn Ferris, born at 3.55am and her little brother, Ben Earnest Ferris who followed at 4.02am.

Ben weighed in at 5lbs 9oz and his big sister Eve was 5lb 13oz when born.

Mrs Ferris only left her job three weeks ago, as her babies were not due until Aug 4, but admits she didn't take much notice of the royal pregnancy.

She said: "We were too busy planning for our own, and were thrilled to learn we were having one of each. No royal names were considered, Kathryn is my mother's name."

She added: "We have had lots of congratulations from friends or family, and lots of them want to know what we will get for free for the twins because of their special birth date."

While the world yesterday waited impatiently for the arrival of the royal baby, a couple of Telford were waiting on the arrival of their own little prince.

Overdue mum to be Sarah and proud dad Tony Dunkerley from Dawley Bank were admitted to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on Sunday to have their baby boy induced.

Baby Dunkerley was due on July 11, one of the rumoured due dates for the future King. When the Prince of Cambridge didn't make an appearance, baby Dunkerley decided to stay firmly put too.

By Monday evening there was still no news and Sarah was planning to go home when her waters broke, but not before one final moment of drama.

Mrs Dunkerley, 38 said: "I had decided to go home so I went to the toilet. The lock broke on the door and I had to wait to be rescued. Just five minutes after I was freed my waters broke. I am very glad I wasn't on my way home."

As news broke across the world at 8.29pm that The Duchess of Cambridge had given birth to a baby boy, baby Dunkerley decided not to be left behind and stealing the announcement spotlight, decided then was the time to finally begin to make his way into the world.

Sarah said: "I hadn't heard the announcement as my waters broke at 8.30pm and our son was born just an hour later at 9.29pm."

Weighing the same as the royal bundle baby Dunkerley also tipped the scales at 8lb 60z and is the first boy for the couple who have two daughters aged 19 and 24.

Like the Royal baby, the Telford prince is still to be named and the couple are deciding between George and Jack.

Dad Tony, 48 said: "We knew we were having a boy and we did keep up to date with Kate and Wills throughout the pregnancy, we do like the Royal family. If we name him George we want to announce it before they do."