Celebrations as Baby Oliver is born on great-granny's 100th birthday!

IT was a special day for Galgorm woman, Laura McMurray, last week as she not only celebrated her grandmother's 100th birthday but the arrival of her baby boy Oliver who was dramatically delivered on the bathroom floor!

Laura was planning to attend a family gathering for her grandmother, Mrs Elizabeth (Lily) McAleese, who received a letter from His Majesty King Charles III to commemorate the occasion.

The 37 year old was going about her day as normal when she began to experience contractions.

Laura was aware of Braxton Hicks, a normal part of pregnancy for many women, and although she wasn't too concerned, she made a quick phone-call to her midwife.

Laura wasn't in any pain and it was concluded that, at that point, Laura was not in active labour.

She continued the night-time routine with her other son Isaac (20 months) and retired to bed.

At 11pm, Laura began experiencing stronger contractions which made her nauseous. The pain became sharper and more erratic and Laura's husband decided it was time to call the emergency services. A Northern Ireland Ambulance Service operative began to instruct Laura's husband on how to deliver the baby and just three hours later, at 2am, baby Oliver came into the world on the bathroom floor, several weeks early!

Laura told the Guardian: "I just went about my day normally and thought the contractions were just part and parcel of my pregnancy.

"I'm not great with pain so it was only later when I was in bed and when the contractions became stronger that I realised I may be in labour.

"My husband was awake and decided to call the ambulance service.

"They talked him through the delivery, stage by stage, and despite him never having delivered a child before, he remained extremely calm and Oliver was born safely at 2am.

"My due date was June 26. We weren't expecting him for another few weeks so it was a bit of a surprise!

"It's really cool that he was born on the day of my grandmother's 100th birthday celebrations and that he will get to share the same birthday as her!

"I took Oliver to visit my granny. She kept asking 'Where's the baby at?'

"He is still so tiny due to being born prematurely but she held his little hand and she was delighted to meet him.

"My grandmother and I would be very close. She looked after me when I was younger when my parents were at work. As a nod to my grandmother, we gave Oliver the middle name of Elijah, which is the male equivalent of Elizabeth, so they will share the same name and birthday.

"I have two children and Oliver will be my grandmother's 10th great grandchild. We are delighted to celebrate my grandmother's milestone and it has been made even more special and poignant with the arrival of Oliver - it's a day we will certainly never forget!"