Mum gives birth to Britain's third heaviest girl

Bethany Jane Turner was born in a birthing pool - and to the surprise of mum Naomi and dad Gavin weighed in at 12lb 6oz.

Their not-so-little bundle tipped the scales 3lbs heavier than they expected and 5lb 2oz more than the average weight for a UK girl.

Naomi, aged 33, Arncliffe Close, Gigg, said: “We had a scan at 33 weeks and she was 6lbs then. We knew that she’d get bigger — but not that big!

“She’s as good as gold and doesn’t cry very much. We have to wake her up for feeding.

“I’ve got two other children, Katie, who is eight and Billy, who is five, and they were 8lb 9oz and 8lb 10z and I had in my mind that Bethany would be 9lbs, but for her to be heavier was a big surprise,” added Naomi, who is an optical assistant at the Bury branch of Specsavers.

She added: “The labour ward at North Manchester General Hospital was very busy so we took the nurses up on their offer to use a birthing pool within the birthing centre.

“I can’t praise the staff their highly enough. We always had one-on-one care from the midwife and I am so relieved everything went well and we’re all home as a family, enjoying the new baby.”

Gavin, aged 32, who works as a construction site manager said: “Billy is getting used to being a big brother and Katie is like a mini mum. She loves her new little sister.

“Bethany’s size was a surprise but she’s a little treasure. She’s my first child and I’m still getting used to it all.

“Her granddad Peter Lowe was at the hospital and the staff there were great.

“It’s wonderful to welcome a new baby into the world in spring and she can now enjoy the summer with us.”

Sam Wagner, who works as a midwife at the hospital, said: “It was an absolutely delight to support Naomi throughout her water birth.

“We were all surprised when baby Bethany arrived with a huge splash weighing 12lb 6oz, a first for the birth centre.”

The biggest girl born naturally is said to have been 12lb 12oz.