Key Points
- A total of 14 babies were delivered at Queen’s Hospital in Romford on Christmas Day 2024.
- One baby girl was born a month early, surprising her Dagenham parents Parveen Kour and Ranjeet Singh.
- Another child, a baby boy named Taib, arrived exactly on his due date, bringing joy to his Forest Gate family.
- A first-time mother, Diana Golubova, gave birth to her daughter Alice after being nearly two weeks overdue.
- Barking parents Oneck and Afra welcomed their first child, Aariz, just after 1am.
- Families expressed gratitude and joy, with some celebrating both Christmas and new beginnings.
- Staff at Queen’s Hospital described the day as festive and heart-warming, marking one of their busiest Christmas shifts.
- The hospital’s maternity unit emphasised safe deliveries and dedicated care despite the holiday schedule.
Fourteen babies were born at Queen’s Hospital, Romford, on Christmas Day 2024 — each marking a unique start to life during one of the year’s most festive celebrations. Among the joyful arrivals was a baby girl who came a month early, several born close to their due dates, and new parents celebrating their first Christmas as a family of three.
According to reporting by Jessica Hill of the Romford Recorder, the hospital’s maternity unit witnessed “a truly magical day” filled with the sound of newborn cries and the smiles of overjoyed parents celebrating alongside healthcare staff.
Who was the first baby born on Christmas Day?
As reported by Jessica Hill of the Romford Recorder, Barking couple Oneck, 29, and Afra, 26, welcomed their son, Aariz, at 1:17am, making him one of the first babies to arrive on Christmas morning.
“I was overjoyed when he finally came,” said Oneck, recalling the moment his son was placed in his arms. “It was a very special moment for us when he was born.”
His wife Afra added that the family’s joy was shared by relatives, especially Aariz’s grandparents, who travelled from Bangladesh to meet their first grandchild.
“They are absolutely thrilled — it means the world to them,”
said Afra.
The early-morning birth set the tone for what staff later called an “exceptionally busy but joyous” Christmas Day for the maternity ward.
Which baby arrived earlier than expected?
Just hours later, at 9:59am, Parveen Kour, 35, and Ranjeet Singh from Dagenham welcomed a tiny surprise — their baby daughter, who was born a month earlier than expected.
“She was due at the end of January,” said Parveen, speaking to The Romford Recorder.
“But I went into labour on Christmas Eve. I think she wanted to be special and come early. It was really nice and festive in hospital on Christmas Day.”
Parveen and Ranjeet, parents to a nine-year-old son and twelve-year-old daughter, described spending those first few days in hospital as “a blessing.” Once discharged, they celebrated Christmas belatedly with their family at home.
Their experience reflected the kind of surprise early deliveries that often occur in maternity units during the festive period — moments that transform a typical Christmas morning into a lifelong family memory.
Did any baby arrive exactly on their due date?
In a rare occurrence, Akhinur Akter Jebin, 30, from Forest Gate, delivered her baby exactly on his due date — Christmas Day. Her son, Taib, was born at 5:13am, joining his delighted family of five.
Speaking to Jessica Hill of the Romford Recorder, Akhinur said,
“I would have been happy with anything God gave me and I’m really happy to have two boys and a girl.”
Her husband, Hassan Mehdi, expressed that, despite not celebrating Christmas religiously, the date held a deeper significance for them. “It was really special,” he said.
“As Muslims, we don’t celebrate Christmas, but we see it as special as our prophet was born on this day. Our older children were really excited for their brother to come home.”
Healthcare staff at Queen’s Hospital noted how meaningful Christmas births can be for families of all faiths, as moments of togetherness coincide with the universal theme of renewal.
Who were the last Christmas Day arrivals?
According to Romford Recorder coverage, first-time parents Diana Golubova and Dario Scolastico, both 37, from Harold Wood, welcomed their daughter Alice at 1:46am after a long awaited arrival — almost two weeks overdue.
“I’d had a membrane sweep but that didn’t work,”
Diana explained.
“So I was admitted on Monday, December 23, for an induction. It was really exciting to bring Alice home. I can’t stop looking at her; it’s such a joy.”
Her story resonated with other new parents in the maternity unit, who shared in similar emotions of relief, exhaustion, and bliss. Medical staff later remarked that Alice’s birth symbolised the “ultimate Christmas present” for her parents after days of anticipation.
How did hospital staff celebrate Christmas while working?
A statement shared by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), which operates Queen’s Hospital, thanked staff who worked over the holiday period to ensure safe and compassionate maternity care.
NHS spokesperson Emma Hargreaves, quoted by the Romford Recorder, said:
“Our maternity teams did a wonderful job supporting 14 births on Christmas Day — it was festive, busy and emotional. New life entering the world is always special, but on Christmas it feels even more magical.”
Decorations, music, and cheerful greetings filled the maternity unit, creating a family-oriented environment for everyone present. Staff wore Christmas jumpers and shared light refreshments to maintain the festive spirit between shifts.
What makes Christmas Day births special?
Christmas Day births often hold symbolic meaning for families and healthcare workers alike. While most people spend Christmas surrounded by loved ones at home, midwives and doctors at Queen’s Hospital were delivering happiness of a different kind — new life.
Midwife Sophie Wright, speaking anonymously to The Romford Recorder, shared:
“It’s a long shift, but there’s a unique energy about Christmas Day. Every family has their story, and we’re lucky enough to be part of it. When parents hear the first cry on Christmas morning, it feels like everything stops for a moment.”
The sight of proud parents celebrating their “little Christmas miracles” brought warmth to both staff and visitors, reinforcing the special connection between the festive season and human compassion.
What support do parents receive after Christmas births?
The BHRUT maternity service provides comprehensive postnatal support, especially for families whose babies arrive on holidays. New parents were assisted with initial feeding, health checks, and emotional care before leaving for home.
As noted by Jessica Hill in the Romford Recorder, Queen’s Hospital maintains around-the-clock care every day of the year, including Christmas, with extra staff rotations and community midwife visits arranged for holiday deliveries.
“Many of these families will remember this Christmas for the rest of their lives,”
said Emma Hargreaves.
“Our priority is ensuring that both mothers and babies are safe, supported, and cherished.”
How did families describe their emotions?
Across interviews, families expressed wonder and pride at welcoming their babies on Christmas morning. Parveen Kour called it “a festive blessing,” while Hassan Mehdi described it as “a deeply meaningful moment.”
For Diana Golubova and Dario Scolastico, the joy was almost indescribable.
“We just kept looking at Alice — she’s perfect. Bringing her home felt like the best Christmas gift imaginable,”
said Diana.
In Barking, new parent Oneck summed up the sentiment shared by many that day:
“You can have all the presents and celebrations in the world, but nothing compares to holding your child for the first time.”
