Meet the New Year babies: Bundles of joy for parents across the Black Country

Happy New Year! There was no better way to start 2018 for elated couples who welcomed New Year's Day babies across the Black Country.

Mother Michelle White, and father Liam Blackwell, both of Wolverhampton, with their New Year baby Grace Blackwell

And the New Year brought a bundle of joy for one couple who celebrated the birth of their first child together.

Michelle White, 29, and Liam Blackwell, 26, from Fordhouses, welcomed baby Grace into the world at 6.15am on New Year's Day.

But it was a long New Year's Eve for them both - as Michelle was induced at 8.30am.

Grace was her third born and longest labour yet.

She said: "When I found out that we would be having a baby around Christmas time I thought of all the parties we could have in the years to come, as my son's birthday is next week too.

"I am so happy but very tired - it was hard work."

Grace weighed in at 8lb 2oz and Michelle, who works as a receptionist, had a natural birth.

Elated dad, Liam, added: "Hopefully we will be back home by tonight. I'm just overjoyed.

"It was a very different way to spend New Year this year - but it was worth it."

Mother Ana Rose Dos Santos, of Wolverhampton, with her New Year baby Aksah Milena Dos Santos, at New Cross Hospital

Ana Rose Dos Santos, from Heath Town, had her waters break five minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve.

Mrs Dos Santos, who is an administrator at Jaguar Land Rover, said: "I am so happy, but a little bit shocked as Aksah Milena was not due until next week.

"I was not expecting it yet. My waters broke around midnight and then I had a caesarean, meaning Aksah was born at 6.18am on New Year's Day.

"I have family in Antigua and Brazil but I am not sure if they will be coming over to visit."

Mrs Dos Santos also has three other children, who were excited to see their new baby sister.

Aeriel, 10, and Anna Noemia, 12, said they couldn't wait to take Aksah home.

Aeriel said: "I feel like the older brother now and not the youngest anymore.

"I'm really happy to have a baby sister."

As yet, unnamed New Year baby, whose mother is Sana Khan, of Wolverhampton

Meanwhile, Sana Khan, 29 and Yasir Khan, 30, from Whitmore Reans, saw baby Abdul Hanan arrive at around 2.45am.

He was due to be born on Boxing Day.

Mr Khan, who works at Asda, said: "We were very stressed when we found out that it could be a New Year birth.

"It was a hard birth and Sana had a caesarean, but this is incredibly special to us."

Mrs Khan, who is a teacher at a mosque, said: "I had some pain after I was induced but it was worth it in the end.

"The name that we want for the baby at the minute is Abdul Hanan but there may be other names we consider too.

"This is our first child after being married for six years."

Staff at New Cross Hospital, in Wolverhampton, said that the New Year shifts had gone well, with only four babies born in the early hours of New Year's Day.