THERE was an explosive start to the new year for Victoria McGovern as fireworks accompanied the birth of her daughter.

Mrs McGovern was the first mum of 2015 to give birth at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Baby McGovern — her parents haven’t yet decided on her name — was born in the Spires Midwifery-led Unit at 12.33am, weighing in at 6lb 3oz.

Mrs McGovern said: “I was in the birthing pool and as I looked out of the window from Level 7 I could see fireworks going off — it was amazing,”

“The contractions started on Tuesday, but they weren’t strong until New Year’s Eve and she came pretty quickly after that.

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“She’s a beautiful baby and it’s a great start to the new year.”

Mrs McGovern, who used to work in public relations for Bottle PR, lives in Sutton Courtenay with husband Oliver, 36, who runs a software business, and their son Riley, 22 months.

She added: “The staff on the unit have been amazing every step of the way and I have been texting family and friends with the news.”

Also born at the JR was Archie Spicer, who weighed in at 8lb 11oz.

Mum Sarah Baker, 25, from Kidlington, who works for plumbing firm, Uniheat Ltd, of Cowely, gave birth at 5.45am.

She said: “Archie was two weeks’ late, so I’m delighted everything is okay.”

Dad Leigh Spicer, 26, who works in marketing for car giant Nissan, said Archie would now be a playmate for their other son Charlie, four.

He added: “It was a long night. The actual labour only took a couple of hours and Sarah didn’t make it to the birthing pool — everyone was brilliant at the hospital.”

Manager of the hospital’s maternity assessment unit Laura Jones said: “New Year’s Eve itself was not excessively busy, but there have been lots of babies born over the Christmas period.” Ms Jones said about 20 maternity staff were on duty at the unit over new year.

Midwives were also kept busy at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Joanna Soltysiak, 29, and partner Lee Foulkes, 22, from Banbury, are celebrating the birth of their first child Oskar. He was born at 8.30am weighing 7lb 5oz.

Ms Soltysiak, originally from Lodz in Poland, met Mr Foulkes at a party two years ago when she was working as an au pair. She said: “Oskar was due on January 17, but he has come early for new year.”

Mr Foulkes, a joiner, said: “The baby is early so this is a bit of a surprise.”

Craig and Tracey McKinnon Beal, of Banbury, are celebrating the birth of their second child Lily-Rose. They also have a son, Liam, two.

Lily-Rose, due on Boxing Day, weighed 8lb 2oz and was born at about 8.30am.

“I’ve got my little prince and I’m now over the moon with my little princess,” said Mrs McKinnon Beal.

Maternity staff at the Horton said it had been “a busy night”.

Also at the JR, Danielle Storr and fiance Tom Lygo, both 22, are celebrating the birth of son Marshall.

He was born at 11.18am, weighing 7lb 10oz.

Marshall Lygo is the couple’s third child and joins Oscar, three, and Roxanne, 18 months.

Mr Lygo, from Barton, nephew of Labour city councillor Mark Lygo, said: “Marshall was born on the day he was due – the whole family is delighted.”

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