“She is just the best surprise and I hope my story gives hope to others.”

Navdeep Kaur gave birth to the first baby of 2024 at Walsall Manor Hospital today – and after years of miscarriages her new daughter was the best gift she and husband Iqbal Singh Kanwal could ever have hoped for.

The little girl was born at 12.36am today and weighs 7 pounds and 9 ounces.

Navdeep was thrilled when Midwives let her daughter Jaskirat, 10, and her husband, have a peep at her new sister in the recovery room following her caesarean.

“That was lovely of them after all my miscarriages because she was so excited and really wanted to see the baby. Everyone has been so kind and supportive here, said Navdeep, 35, a Healthcare Support Assistant at Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

After the birth of her first daughter she sadly had nine miscarriages.

“I do suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) but after so many miscarriages we’d given up on having any more babies. Jaskirat really wanted a sibling as well as her friends at school talked about their brothers and sisters, so it was really tough for us all. The baby is just the best surprise and I hope my story gives hope to others.”

The new arrival hasn’t yet been named but Jaskirat definitely wants a say in that.

“She can’t wait for us to get home and is already thinking of possible names!” said Navdeep, who lives in Wolverhampton with Iqbal who is a herbalist.

A total of 10 babies were born in the hospital on 1 January 2024.