EXPECTANT mums were turned away from a busy Southampton hospital while in labour as maternity services in the city were stretched over the new year.

Couples across Hampshire welcomed new additions to their family on New Year’s Day, but Princess Anne Hospital was forced to divert parents to be.

Midwives on the labour ward said they always expect a busy shift but had to send mums in labour to hospitals such as Royal Bournemouth Hospital Maternity Unit.

But Jade Barret, 27, from New Milton, could not make the nine-mile journey.

She had to give birth to her eight pound daughter Evie Winter in the early hours of the new year on her five-year-old son’s bedroom floor.

Jade had intended to go to Primcess Anne but when she called they were full. Dad James Bartlett had to call paramedics when a midwife in Bournemouth was concerned she could not get to a maternity unit in time.

Fifteen minutes later little Evie was born. Mum and daughter were then taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital Maternity Unit after the birth.

The family said it was a quick birth compared to the 54-hour labour that produced their five-year-old son Scott.

Jade said: “It all happened so quickly. Scott slept through the whole thing and only woke when he heard Evie’s first cry. It was manic but we think it’s lovely she was born on New Year’s Day, we’re so happy.”

Princess Anne Hospital confirmed that five babies had been born in the morning, with more mums coming in the afternoon in labour, filling the ward to the brim.

One baby was born at the New Forest Birth Centre and eight were born at Winchester’s Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

Alana Reid was the first, born at 12.42am weighing six pounds, two ounces to 34-year-old hairdresser Cathy Alexander and 33-year-old training officer James Reid from Winchester.

Cathy said: “Having a new year baby makes it quite magical and it’s definitely a sign of good things to come.”

First-time parents Andy Hawkins, a 27-year-old delivery driver, and 22- year-old cleaner Danielle Green celebrated the new year in Winchester by welcoming daughter Mia Hawkins at 5.21am, weighing nine pounds, four ounces.

Sophie Huffman-Burt, 18, and her boyfriend Nick Rihoy, 22, rushed from their home in New Milton to have Ava just after 10am, weighing six pounds, 10 ounces.

Originally due on Christmas Day, Jack Meggison surprised his parents Marc, a 26-year-old salesman, and Mary, a 27-year-old an X-ray technician from Winchester, and was born yesterday at 2.30am, weighing seven pounds, eight and a half ounces.

Marc said: “It’s been quite a wait, he was obviously determined to have a special birthday. Mary is just amazing. It’s incredible and we can’t wait to get him home.”

Melissa Harianto has had some tough times in the boxing ring. But none have been as testing as the 44- hour labour leading up to the birth of first child Lily.

The 23-year-old, who lives in Fordingbridge, lists boxing as one of her three professions – she’s also a decorator and a printer.

She and partner Brendan Pound, 24, first turned up at the Poole Hospital maternity unit at 3pm on December 30 but it was 10.31am on New Year’s Day before Lily made an appearance.

Weighing in at nine pounds, one ounce, their daughter made herself at home and promptly fell asleep.