I gave birth to my son on Christmas Day – exactly 30 years after I was born
A new mother gave birth on Christmas Day, exactly 30 years after she was born.
Katie Fuller, 30, shared her celebratory birthday with new son, Barney Forsythe, and said it was the best gift she could have asked for.
And the chance that their birthday is on Christmas Day is 0.0075 percent.
While she originally planned to be induced, Katie's contractions started naturally on Christmas Eve – and she was in labor for 32 hours.
Katie, who owns a recruitment company from Hemel Hempstead, said: 'Barney was my best Christmas and birthday present ever.
Anne and David Fuller on December 25, 1993 with Katie as a baby – exactly 25 years before she gave birth to her own son Barney
NEW MOTHER: Katie on Christmas Day with her new baby Barney – who was born on the same date as her, just 30 years later
New parents Katie Fuller and Harrison Forsythe with Baby Barney, pictured just days (on December 29) after Barney was born
'I feel like I've only just come back to earth – I didn't expect to give birth on Christmas Day. I thought, “What the hell is going on?”
Katie says growing up as a Christmas baby has been 'tough' – and she hasn't always felt like she's getting a 'full birthday experience'.
While her parents, Anne, 71, and David Fuller, 75, have always treated her birthday and Christmas as two separate days and have given her double the number of presents, she missed her birthday with friends.
In the future, she plans to celebrate Barney's birthday twice: with a party earlier this year and presents at Christmas.
“Although it's nice to always have my family around me on my birthday,” Katie added, “I can't see my friends because they're all at home celebrating Christmas.
'It's tough being a Christmas baby; I want to raise Barney with two separate birthdays. Just like the queen used to do.'
Katie planned to be induced on Christmas Eve when her contractions started naturally at 11am the same day.
She was due to undergo a cervical examination – a procedure to induce labor – at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, where she was going anyway.
Harrison and Barney not long after birth. Katie says she plans to give Barney two birthdays a year to celebrate
CHRISTMAS BABY: The chance that a baby (Barney in the photo) will share a birthday with his mother on Christmas Day is 0.0075 percent
Katie's fiancée, gas engineer Harrison Forsythe (pictured) in hospital with his new son, baby Barney
But her midwife confirmed that she was already 2cm dilated and the baby was ready to be born.
She said: 'They told me they were keeping me inside – I thought I would be fine on my own.
'But then I realized I didn't have to wait to be induced anymore; Barney came out.
'It was a very slow process, all through Sunday evening and Monday during the day – and very painful.'
Katie's fiancée, gas engineer Harrison Forsythe, 30, joined her in hospital on Christmas Day, along with her sister, 49-year-old Louise.
According to Katie, being a Christmas baby isn't always easy because you often don't see your friends and don't feel like you're getting the “full birthday experience.”
Katie says she is “absolutely.” [doesn’t] “I'm thinking of sharing a birthday with Barney,” and says the couple will have many joint birthday parties
Her epidural failed – and after 'hours' with the baby stuck at 5cm, doctors delivered by caesarean section.
Barney was born at 5.40pm on Christmas Day – 30 years, 13 hours and 40 minutes after his mother.
Katie added: 'I absolutely don't mind sharing a birthday with Barney – we'll have lots of joint birthday parties – it's incredibly special.
'And what are the odds!
“A mother and son having a birthday on Christmas Day, it's the craziest thing I've ever heard.”