A mum celebrated her Christmas day giving birth to her son, exactly 37 years to the day when she was born.
Chloe Terry, from Strood, gave birth to Alfie at 8.07am in Medway Maritime Hospital in what she calls the “best birthday and Christmas present” she could ask for.
Chloe Terry, who lives in Strood, with her baby son, Alfie, who was born on Christmas Day
The mum-of-two was born in Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup at 6.05am on Friday, December 25 1987 – meaning they are 37 years, two hours and two minutes apart.
Alfie, who weighed 8lbs 4oz, was supposed to be born on Sunday, December 22. But Chloe began having contractions at home at 2.30am on Christmas Eve.
Her labour lasted 30 hours, but by 5pm both mum and baby, along with dad and Alfie’s six-year-old brother Archie were all at Chloe’s parents’ house eating Christmas dinner.
Chole says her rainbow child – a baby born to a family that has previously lost a baby – is the best birthday and Christmas present she could ask for.
The 37-year-old had fallen pregnant just a few months after losing her son Thomas 16 weeks into the pregnancy.
Alfie Terry was born on Christmas Day at Medway Maritime Hospital
She said: “It was a bit of a whirlwind when we found out we were pregnant again so it seems surreal that Alfie is here now.
“I was kind of hoping he wouldn’t arrive on Christmas Day because I didn’t want to be away from my other son Archie who has special needs.
“But when Alfie arrived it was actually the best birthday and Christmas present I could have ever wished for.
“Having Alfie share my birthday is an incredibly special thing, I mean what are the odds of us having the same birthday let alone both of us being born on Christmas Day?
“My family have been lovingly cursing me though for having him on Christmas Day because it’s going to be more expensive for them now.
Alfie Terry, born on Christmas Day at Medway Maritime Hospital, in the arms of his older brother Archie
“My mum and dad kindly looked after Archie until we left the hospital at about 5pm when we went straight to their house as they’d cooked a Christmas dinner for us all.
“The food was lovely but everyone was so exhausted and all over the place because of the day’s events that I don’t think anyone really enjoyed eating it unfortunately.”
Chloe’s parents have always tried to separate the two special occasions by giving her a main birthday present and a main Christmas present.
“To be honest they still do it now,” she added, “It’s never bothered me that I haven’t had a separate day for my birthday.
“I’ve always spent it with my family who are the most important people to me.
As for my birthday, it just means I’m another year older so I’m quite happy to give my day up for Alfie
“On my 21st I had a party and we had our Christmas on Boxing Day. For my 30th we went out for dinner and then family came and surprised me in the evening, which was lovely.
“As for Alfie, I think we will celebrate his birthday on the day but also try and do something that is especially for him, like a party or day out.
“Christmas is for kids, as for my birthday it just means I’m another year older so I’m quite happy to give my day up for Alfie.”
Alfie was the sixth of 12 babies born on Christmas day at Medway Maritime Hospital.
The first coming at 1.15am and the last just after 11.05pm with the heaviest baby born that day 9lbs 4oz.
During the festive period, 45 children were born – the heaviest was 9lbs 14oz.
Eleven came on Christmas Eve, eight on Boxing Day, nine on New Year’s Eve and five on New Year’s Day.