Little Betty was born in the early hours of New Year's Day

Little Betty Frances Nutt arrived at 2.15am and is a dream come true for first-time parents Lucy Cochrane and Karl Nutt.

Thankfully, there was a perfect ending but the birth was far from straightforward and Betty, who weighed 6lb 5oz, eventually had to be delivered via an emergency C-section.

There were anxious moments when her heartrate dropped because she was holding her umbilical cord.

Miss Cochrane, who lives in Friday Wood Green, Colchester, said: "Betty is our first baby and very special, not least because she was the first baby born at the hospital in 2021.

"She eventually arrived on her due date but the birth was a nightmare.

"I went in five days beforehand to be induced, as I had too much amniotic fluid.

"Then, after three days of trying to induce me, a consultant had to break my waters.

"This didn’t start the labour either so they suggested an oxytocin drip (on New Year's Eve).

"Unfortunately, Betty still wasn't ready to make her entrance and then the consultant noticed her heartrate dropping and I was asked to go for a C-section.

"She was eventually born in the early hours of the following morning, holding onto her umbilical cord - hence the heartrate drop."

Miss Cochrane, 32, admits the experience was stressful but worth every moment.

The national administrator for a telecoms company was grateful to the midwives who helped her and says partner Karl, a 42-year-old air-conditioning engineer, was allowed 20 minutes with Betty, before being sent home due to Covid restrictions.

"I believe the rules have now changed and partners aren't allowed on the wards anymore," she said.

"Karl was able to visit for two hours each day and I feel awful for anyone who has to potentially go through days of inducing with no-one to support them."