A surprised mother has revealed how her baby son arrived unexpectedly on Christmas day, but says she still managed to make it home for her turkey lunch.
After watching her children open their Christmas gifts, followed by a quick dash to the hospital Demi-Leigh Elson was able to continue enjoying the festivities after giving birth to baby Oakley.
The 21-year-old had been planning a relaxing Christmas with her partner Aaron Ouseley and her children Lola Lea, three and two-year-old Codie-Ray, when she started with contractions.
Excited to open their presents, the children had woke Miss Elson up at 5am on Christmas Day, 2017 and her contractions had then started at 5.30am.
Baby Oakley (pictured above) was born on Christmas Day 2017 at Demi-Leigh Elson’s home in Stoke-on-Trent
Demi-Leigh Elson (left with baby Oakley) said her labour (right) was so fast that she didn’t have time to get to hospital
However, Miss Elson’s labour was so fast that she didn’t have time to get to hospital and gave birth as her youngsters opened their gifts.
Speaking to The Sun she said: ‘I was due on Boxing Day and my main worry was that if he came at Christmas, I would miss seeing the kids open their presents, and I would miss Christmas dinner with the family.
‘But we managed to fit everything in. I actually felt the first strong contraction as Lola opened her last present. It’s almost as though Oakley knew he had to wait.’
Miss Elson described it as ‘the perfect Christmas Day and said that the other children had asked for a baby from Santa.
‘They thought Oakley had been delivered down the chimney.
‘I’d say it’s worth having a baby at Christmas just so my partner has to cook the dinner.’
Demi Leigh Elson’s mother Nikki (left) arrived before the birth of Oakley (right) in order to look after Miss Elson’s other children
Miss Elson, from Stoke on-Trent, and her partner Aaron, 28, met in 2014 and she was already mother to Lola-Lea.
In 2015 the pair welcomed Codie-Rae. Then in May 2017 Miss Elson fell pregnant again.
Their baby was due on Boxing Day, but early on Christmas morning Miss Elson felt her first twinges of labour.
Demi-Leigh Elson with her children (from left to right) baby Oakley, Lola and Codie-Ray
She said: ‘I just gritted my teeth and ignored it because I was determined to watch my children open their presents. It was just as the last one was opened that I felt a strong contraction and I knew it was time.
‘It was as if my baby knew he was allowed to come now.
‘Aaron rang an ambulance but we quickly realised when the paramedics arrived that I wouldn’t have time to get to hospital – and that our baby would be born at home.
Demi-Leigh’s other children Lola (left) and Codie-Ray (right) enjoyed opening their gifts before their new brother arrived
‘My main concern was my carpet because we’d just had a new carpet laid in the living room and I didn’t want a mess all over it.’
Miss Elson’s mother Nikki soon arrived and stepped in to look after the other children.
Oakley was born at midday, weighing 6lb 11ozs, in the couples living room.
Baby Oakley (left and right) was born under the Christmas tree
Miss Elson added: ‘He arrived only 20 minutes after the paramedics came so it was all very quick.
‘I was trying to stay calm for the sake of our other kids. He was my first natural birth because I was induced for the other two, so it was lovely with the Christmas tree and the fairy lights in the background.
‘We went to hospital for checks but we were allowed home again just after 3pm – in time for Christmas dinner, which Aaron cooked all on his own.
Codie-Ray (left) and Lola (right) opening their Christmas gifts together
‘It was the perfect day and his big brother and sister were thrilled – they think Santa brought the baby down the chimney for them. This year will be very special, with our little family around us.’
Miss Elson has planned to celebrate Oakley’s birthday today, 26 December, so he gets a whole day for his birthday.