10/11/2003

Sophie Wessex doing well after premature birth

The Countess of Wessex and her new baby girl are reportedly doing well after she went into labour five weeks early on Saturday night.

Prince Edward cut short a state visit to Mauritius in order to be with his wife after she was rushed to hospital at the weekend complaining of severe stomach pains.

Following a visit to Sophie, 38, who is still recovering at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey after an emergency caesarean birth, Edward told waiting reporters that he was "thrilled to bits" at the birth of their first child.

He said that he was shocked by the news of his wife's sudden medical problems and was sorry that he had not been able to be there for the birth on Saturday evening.

The Earl said: " I have seen Sophie, she is doing well. She has also had a bit of a fraught time of it."

The baby girl who weighed in at 4lbs 9oz was almost a month early. She was transferred to the neo-natal unit at St George's Hospital, Tooting where her condition is said to be "stable".

The Queen's seventh grandchild, the first to be born in an NHS hospital, is eighth in line to the throne.

The Countess and Earl of Wessex are still considering names for the baby.

(SP)

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