Young Louis makes an early appearance (From The Oxford Times)

Young Louis makes an early appearance

9:30am Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News By Oliver Evans, covering Banbury. Call me on 01865 425271

LITTLE Louis Muir arrived a month early to become the first newborn of 2013 at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

The 5lb 1oz boy was born to proud doctor parents Ruth and Ross at 1.17am yesterday.

First-time mother Ruth, 34, said: “It was a complete surprise. I am tired but happy.”

The Buckinghamshire GP has had a difficult pregnancy and went to the JR on Thursday.

Doctors monitored Ruth and Louis’ conditions and decided on New Year’s Eve they had to perform an emergency caesarean section.

Mr Muir, 33, an orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, said: “He is going to have a day off on his birthday every year so that is good. We are just so happy. He is perfect.”

Another Louis arrived shortly after when Louis McIntosh was born at 2.59am to Abingdon couple Gary McIntosh, 25 and Gemma Worsell, 29.

The new mum, a operations manager at a recycling company, said: “It is quite special. It is the first day of a brand new year and he is a brand new person. It is amazing.”

The couple, from Dorchester Crescent, were expecting 8lb 8oz Louis to be a Christmas baby.

Mr McIntosh, a plasterer, said: “Gemma was in labour for nearly 40 hours. He must have just waited. He is worth it though. It is scary, I have just changed a nappy. It is amazing.”

Didcot science teacher Sarah Hoskins, 28, gave birth to 91b 9.5oz daughter Eilidh at 2.45am, welcoming a sister for Michael, three.

She was due on December 18 and Mrs Hoskins, who teaches at Gillotts School in Henley, said: “We always get the day off so that is quite good.

“It is a bit unexpected, we thought it might be a Christmas baby.”

Her husband Richard, 33, said: “We will never forget her birthday. I am ecstatic and her brother is very excited.”

Meric Butcher, 33, of Bourne End, Bucks, gave birth to Amelia at 2am.

Waiting for husband Nick, 40, to arrive with their daughter Isabelle, three, she said she was thrilled with her 7lb 5oz bundle of joy.

She said: “She was due on Boxing Day. I was hoping she would arrive on New Year’s Eve. She would have good parties but I’m sure she will have good parties when she is older.”

Two babies had also been delivered at Banbury’s Horton General Hospital at the time of going to press.