Baby Norah one of more than 20 leap year babies born in Derby and Burton
Parents at Royal Derby Hospital and Queen's Hospital Burton have today celebrated the birth of their special 'leap year babies'.
Across our hospitals, 21 babies, or 'leaplings' as they're fondly known, have been born today (as of 7pm on 29 February); with four of those arriving at Queen's Hospital Burton and a further 17 at Royal Derby Hospital
One of those babies was Norah Rock, who was born at 2.06am following a spontaneous labour, weighing seven pounds and five ounces - much to the delight of her parents, Jack and Laura from Belper.
Norah was originally due to be born on 21 February, but arrived just over a week late - but the couple had thought she may arrive early like her big sister, 19-month-old Navy.
Jack explained: "Laura's birthday is on Valentine's Day (14 February) and our other daughter arrived early, so we did think they might end up sharing a birthday.
"But as it happens, Norah has arrived a little later than planned, and as such we never really gave much thought to having a leap year baby. But when her birth got closer, we were both watching the clock!"
As well as her birthday being a surprise, Jack and Laura also kept baby Norah's gender a surprise too, only finding out they had a baby girl as she was born.
Laura said: "We found out we were having a girl with our first daughter, so this time around we decided to do it the other way around which was really nice.
"I'd also just like to say thank you to the staff here who have all been so lovely, caring and attentive."
Due to leap years occurring only once every four years, the new arrivals will next celebrate their 'official' birthdays on 29 February 2028 - which has led to discussion as to when the families will celebrate their babies' birthdays until then.
Jack and Laura have decided to celebrate Norah's birthday on 28 February after she was born in the early hours, whereas other parents opted for a celebratory day on 1 March.