Christmas Day was extra special for one mum after she gave birth exactly 37 years after she was born.
After losing a baby boy just before Christmas 2023 when she was 16 weeks pregnant, Chloe Terry says her rainbow baby* is the best birthday and Christmas present she could have ever wished for.
Alfie was born at Medway Maritime Hospital 8.07am on Wednesday 25 December 2024 weighing 8lbs 4oz, while Chloe was born at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup at 6.05am on Friday 25 December 1987 meaning they were born 37 years, two hours and two minutes apart.
Chloe was in labour for almost 30 hours after her contractions began while she was at home at about 2.30am on Christmas Eve (Tuesday 24 December 2024).
Nine hours after Alfie entered the world, both mum and baby, along with dad and Alfie’s older brother Archie, aged six, were at Chloe’s mum and dad‘s house eating Christmas dinner together.
Chloe, 37, from Strood, said: “Alfie’s due date was Sunday 22 December so when he was late 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.
“My mum and dad kindly looked after Archie (pictured with his baby brother) 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.”
Since she was born, Chloe’s parents have tried to separate the two special occasions by giving her a main birthday present and a main Christmas present plus lots of other ‘little bits’.
“To be honest they still do it now,” Chloe 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. 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 etc. 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.”
Falling pregnant with Alfie just a few months after losing their son Thomas while 16 weeks into the pregnancy came as a bit of a shock to the couple initially.
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.
“He is just wonderful. He’s a bit of a gannet with his grub but he is very chilled and content.
“The two midwives who helped bring Alfie in to the world, Emily Godfrey and Sophie Jones, were amazing. I couldn’t fault them or the rest of the staff on the delivery suite. Both my partner and I are extremely grateful to all of them for everything they did for us and Alfie.”
Over the festive and New Year period…
Our hospital’s maternity department was certainly kept busy! Alfie was the sixth baby to be born on Christmas Day:
Christmas Eve:
- Five boys
- Six girls
- First baby born at 2.04am
- Last baby born at 7.50pm
- Heaviest baby 9lbs 14oz
Christmas Day:
- Five boys
- Seven girls
- First baby born at 1.15am
- Last baby born at 11.06pm
- Heaviest baby 9lbs 4 oz
Boxing Day:
- Four boys
- Four girls
- First baby born at 1.08am
- Last baby born at 8.26pm
- Heaviest baby 8lbs
New Year’s Eve:
- Two boys
- Seven girls
- First baby born at 3.26am
- Last baby born at 11.45pm
- Heaviest baby 8lbs 6oz
New Year’s Day:
- Three boys
- Two girls
- First baby born at 1.41am
- Last baby born at 11.23pm
- Heaviest baby 7lbs 14oz
*A rainbow baby is a child born to a family that has previously lost one or more children due to stillbirth, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, or death during infancy.