CHRISTMAS will have an extra special meaning for three Suffolk couples.December 25 was filled with joy for husband and wife Simon and Patricia Tomlin, whose 9lb 1oz baby Sophie Jessica was born at Ipswich Hospital at 1.

CHRISTMAS will have an extra special meaning for three Suffolk couples.

December 25 was filled with joy for husband and wife Simon and Patricia Tomlin, whose 9lb 1oz baby Sophie Jessica was born at Ipswich Hospital at 1.45am yesterday.

Mrs Tomlin, 37, of Hayhill Road, Ipswich, who taught at Kesgrave High School for 14 years, said: "We thought of Christmas names, Holly, Ivy, but thought that was a bit corny. Sophie was top of our list. We never thought we would have a Christmas Day baby.

"My waters broke, we were quite calm, although Simon was more on edge than I was. We left our other daughter Katie with her grandparents.

"The staff here have been brilliant. She was born at 1.45am and I have to say I am coming back as a man next time. The birth went fine, it was a normal delivery and we are very happy. We got out of doing Christmas dinner and had two chocolate bars after the delivery."

Sophie was due on December 18 and the couple had been organised, getting the presents, Christmas tree and shopping done and having arrangements for Katie should there be a birth over the Christmas period.

Mr Tomlin, a 36-year-old signalling technician, said: "We are relieved she's here and healthy. I was in the shower when she came up and said she thought her waters had broken. I got dressed in about three seconds, we dropped Katie off at her grandparents and came in."

Proud parents Katrina Hurrell and Jason Naruszewicz had plenty of time to think of a name for their new baby.

The 9lb 10z baby girl was six days late when she was born early yesterday, but the young couple were still debating the name question, with three – Carly, Kianna and Chloe – still in the running.

Ms Hurrell, a first-time mother, said: "We're hoping to decide before Christmas is over, but I still haven't got a clue between those three names."

She went into labour early on Christmas Eve and her baby was born at West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, at just after midnight.

Ms Hurrell, 25, who lives with her partner in Brandon, said the birth had been a testing experience.

On the other side of Bury St Edmunds, Susan McKay and Jem Lamb were also enjoying becoming first-time parents on Christmas Day. But the Fornham Road couple opted for a home birth instead of the conventional hospital delivery.

Mr Lamb, 25, said everything had gone smoothly and, with the help of midwives, baby Nell Molly had been born at just before 8am weighing in at 6lb 7oz.

The proud father, who supported his partner throughout the birth, said his baby daughter was everything he had expected and added: "She's absolutely beautiful. I don't think it has all sunk in yet."