It was a Mother's Day to remember for these North East families as they welcomed their new arrivals.
Three mothers were among those to give birth at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and Sunderland Royal on Sunday including Zoe Ditch, 34. Zoe welcomed her little girl Heidi Annabelle into the world at 12.02am, her second daughter.
The Washington mum told Chronicle Live that her due date was March 22, but was overjoyed to give birth to Heidi on Mother's Day.
Speaking on the experience itself, Zoe said: "It's our second little girl and it was great, the birthing centre. The staff were so kind and supportive."
21-year-old Katherine Ferguson gave birth to her first child on Sunday morning. The Newcastle woman and her partner decided to call their little one Mia, when she arrived 10 days later from her initial due date of March 17.
Little Mia was born at 6.39am this morning, and Katherine was very pleased with the birthing process and kindness of the supporting sisters and midwives.
She said: "It was a good and exciting experience, the staff were brilliant. They were all dead friendly."
Across the river in Sunderland Royal Hospital, baby Madison Rae Parkin arrived at 5.57am. Parents Gavin Parkin and Jessica Ord were overjoyed by their new-born, following a long night spent in labour.
Gavin, of Houghton-le-Spring, said: "We arrived at Sunderland Royal at 4am on the 26th, where Jessica was told she was fully dilated and she would be birthing our beautiful girl on Mother's Day.
"After a long night and a few minor complications, our beautiful baby was born at 5.57am on the 27th, weighing a healthy 7lbs and 2oz. This is our first baby and the due date was initially planned for the 3rd of April, but she surprised us by arriving on Mother's Day.
"We would really like to thank Allison from the delivery ward at Sunderland Royal for all of her help through the pre and after birth, and we would also love to thank all of the staff who worked with us down in theatre to straighten out the complications and help deliver Madison safe and sound - as well as keeping Jessica as safe and comfortable as possible."
