Gemma Tevendale’s recent addition to her family has certainly turned heads. Baby Suzie made her entrance into the world at a staggering 12lb 12oz, earning her the title of the heaviest baby girl ever born in Britain. What’s more astonishing is that Suzie’s arrival was swift, with Gemma undergoing a natural birth lasting only 44 minutes.
Standing at 5ft 4in tall, Gemma navigated through labour with the aid of gas and air, remarkably avoiding the need for stitches despite Suzie’s size, nearly double that of a typical newborn. While expecting a large baby, even the midwife was taken aback by Suzie’s weight upon her arrival at Great Western Hospital, Swindon.
Reflecting on the birth, Gemma shared that while the contractions progressed rapidly, her partner James provided comforting support throughout the process. Despite a brief moment where Suzie’s shoulder posed a slight challenge, Gemma’s focus remained on the emotional experience of meeting her newborn daughter.
This isn’t the first time Gemma has welcomed hefty babies into the world, as her two older children, Vincent and Violet, also tipped the scales with their births. With Suzie already measuring 2ft tall at just three weeks old, she’s been donning clothes typically reserved for babies aged three to six months.
While researchers speculate about the correlation between maternal diet and baby weight, Gemma admits to enjoying a diet rich in fish during her pregnancy, consuming four portions a week—double the recommended amount. Despite this, Gemma cherishes the joyous moment of meeting Suzie for the first time, embracing the uniqueness of her family’s story.