Leapling babies born at Lincoln hospital

Staff enjoyed celebrating with parents when babies are born on a leap day

Excitement filled the air at a Lincolnshire hospital as midwives and parents welcomed unique "leaplings" into the world.

Coming around only once every four years, 29 February is a special day for babies to be born.

Lincoln County Hospital confirmed that the hospital's midwives delivered nine babies on the leap day.

The first leap day baby, Olive, was born at 03:17 weighing 7lbs 4oz (3.3kg).

Baby Olive was born on 29 February at 03:17 GMT

Chloe Dobbs, from Gainsborough, was the first mum to give birth to a leap day baby at 03:17 GMT on 29 February.

She said: "Olive is healthy and she's here after a dramatic three days after being induced."

Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Ms Dobbs said she felt a "bit rough, but we made it through.

"All the midwives here have been absolutely brilliant, couldn't have done it without them."

Asking about how she feels about Olive being born on a leap day, she said: "She will always have a birthday so it will just be on the 28 February because that's when I was most in labour.

'Unique and rare'

"Every four years we'll just make it a bit more special on the 29 February."

Margaret Furness, 21, was waiting to have a caesarean section at 39 weeks pregnant when the BBC spoke to her.

Asked about how she will celebrate her baby's birthday in the future, she said she will "figure that one out".

She said: "I'm very excited and ready for him to be here."

Ms Furness was waiting to have a caesarean section to welcome her leap day baby to the world

Emma Upjohn, 49, deputy head of midwifery at Lincoln County Hospital, said: "Staff really enjoy celebrating with the parents as well, it's a really nice feel today and we have lots of cake."

Neonatal nurse practitioner Anne-Marie Heath worked overnight from the 28 until the 29 February.

She described leap year babies as "unique and rare" and said it is an "exciting time" for midwives and patients.

Rhiannon Jefferson, 33, who has been a midwife at Lincoln County Hospital for nine years, said "it's always a special day" when babies are born.

"It's a little bit extra exciting when we've got that special date that only comes every four years," she added.