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‘Love was in the air’ as baby Oliver Atherton, from Elmswell, is born at West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, on Valentine’s Day




They say labour is the only blind date where you’re guaranteed to meet the love of your life.

West Suffolk’s maternity service very aptly wrote this in a post to share the news of its Valentine’s Day babies.

One of the little ones to be born on the day of love, February 14, was Oliver Atherton, from Elmswell, near Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket.

He is the son of proud parents Lesley Smart and Andy Atherton and little brother to William, who was two in December.

Lesley, 40, a colleague at Iliffe Media, said it was ‘love at first sight’.

She said: “It felt very special to have a baby delivered on what is a day where love is celebrated so widely. Love was in the air.”

Lesley Smart and Oliver. Picture: Supplied by Lesley Smart
Lesley Smart and Oliver. Picture: Supplied by Lesley Smart
Valentine's Day baby Oliver Atherton. Picture: Supplied by Lesley Smart
Valentine's Day baby Oliver Atherton. Picture: Supplied by Lesley Smart

She joked: “His middle name is not Valentino though!”

Lesley gave birth at Bury’s West Suffolk Hospital by elective caesarean (C-section), with Oliver arriving at 12.16pm.

It was certainly ‘big love’ with Oliver weighing in at 9lb 1oz.

Lesley, a media campaign manager, said: “I can’t fault the staff in theatre, labour suite or F11. The level of care has been excellent.”

She added: “Having an elective was actually lovely - I walked to theatre, had my own playlist and it was just a lovely atmosphere.”

The post from West Suffolk Maternity, a page run by midwives at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT), said: “Congratulations to all of our Valentine’s Day babies born today at WSFT - love truly is in the air!

Oliver with big brother William. Picture: Supplied by Lesley Smart
Oliver with big brother William. Picture: Supplied by Lesley Smart
Oliver Atherton was born at West Suffolk Hospital a 12.16pm on Valentine's Day. Picture: Supplied by Lesley Smart
Oliver Atherton was born at West Suffolk Hospital a 12.16pm on Valentine's Day. Picture: Supplied by Lesley Smart

“And to anyone celebrating at home, perhaps you’ll be seeing us midwives in November!”