Celebrating: The birth of Annabelle Kathleen Stanton

Baby Annabelle Kathleen Stanton was born on April 3 at Dorset County Hospital weighing 6lbs exactly.

Mum Rebecca and Dad Ben said she is ‘absolutely amazing’ and getting on really well, eating and sleeping well.

She is also a new baby sister for Joseph, two and Rosie, one, who adore her. Annabelle was given the middle name Kathleen after Rebecca’s mum.

Rebecca was 35 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and so baby Annabelle was born early by C-section so that Rebecca could start chemotherapy.

Rebecca’s treatment is ongoing, she said: “Annabelle is amazing, all she does is eat and sleep. She’s so good – she’s a God-send because of what we are going through at the moment. We should have called her Angel.

“She sleeps through the night. I can’t tell you how amazing she is. It’s like she knows what’s happening so she’s extra good.”

What was incredibly special was that when Annabelle was born, Rebecca was able to hold her straight away. Normally this doesn’t happen with C-section births Rebecca said, but the hospital did an assessment and allowed it.

Rebecca thanked her wonderful midwives Tara and Alison for all their help and support.

It has been lovely to watch her three children together, Rebecca said. “Joseph and Rosie love her, they keep saying ‘she’s my baby,’ and fighting over whose baby she is.

“Rosie helps me, she gets her dolls and does what I do – it’s so lovely to watch her do it.”

Her children have really helped her through the recent tough time, Rebecca said: “No way could I have gone through it without them – they are my strength.”

She paid tribute to her amazing husband Ben, who has been really supportive and her family and friends for all their help, love and support.

Special thank yous also go to: Rebecca’s mum and dad Kathleen and Roy Shayler and her sisters Lorna Noyce, Joanne Seale, Katherine Rupp, Ann and Richard Dale – Ben’s mum and stepdad and Rebecca’s two best friends Leanne Carter and Laura Houston.