But Nicola could not sleep and as the pain got worse she came back to the hospital later that morning.
Midwives could tell the baby was distressed and performed the emergency Caesarean. Aaliyah came into the world weighing 7lbs 9ozs. Nicola, who works as a dental nurse, said: “The pain was awful and I was having strong contractions all that time. But she is absolutely gorgeous and I’m made up with her. My mum Beverley is made up as my brother Gordon was born on Christmas Day 33 years ago and now she has a grandchild born on the same day.”
Nicola has a son Cole, aged 11, while Nicola’s boyfriend Benn Lunt has a daughter called Jordan Louise, 11.
Benn said: “The staff were absolutely amazing. They kept us calm when we didn’t know what was going on and told us everything we needed to know. It’s great to have another little lady in the family.”