Couple celebrate longed-for arrival

pair had given up hope of having second child after four miscarriages

By Joanna Skailes

Published:

KICKER: Parents Val and Eddie Reid with baby Alfie George, and daughter Chelsea, centre. Kami Thomson

A north-east couple, who thought they were among the unluckiest in Scotland, are celebrating the birth of their baby.

It is 15 years since Val and Eddie Reid became parents for the first time and they had given up on having the second child they so desperately wanted.

After four miscarriages, the Aberdeenshire couple decided it was “just not meant to be”.

But the birth on September 12 of Alfie George after a “long, long wait” is announced in the Press and Journal today. Even then, little Alfie, apparently determined to make them wait just a little bit longer, was almost two weeks late.

Mrs Reid, a former IT technical co-ordinator, had two miscarriages before giving birth to Chelsea, and lost two more babies afterwards.

Then Chelsea was diagnosed with a brain tumour, which turned out to be benign, when she was nine.

Mrs Reid found herself looking after her young daughter, her father, George Cadenhead, and her sister, Aileen Cooper, who were all struggling with cancer.

Her sister lost her fight two years ago but Mr Cadenhead is delighted by the arrival of his 10th grandchild, who also takes his name.

Chelsea, now 15, has recovered and is at Kemnay Academy. She is delighted to have a baby brother, born just days before her birthday.

Mrs Reid, of Ash Grove, Blackburn, near Aberdeen, last night said: “I had two miscarriages before Chelsea. When we were trying for him, it wasn’t happening and we had two miscarriages before him. Initially we didn’t think we would have any more. When you have lost one you think you are lucky to have one.”

However, they changed their minds and hoped to have another baby before Mrs Reid, now 43, turned 40.

“There was nothing happening,” she said. “But as soon as we gave up, it all happened. It was a big shock. I just thought it wasn’t going to happen. It is hard when you have a miscarriage.

“Before we had told everyone but this time we didn’t. I missed my 12-week scan. I just convinced myself it wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t believe it was true. I’m still surprised.”

Mr Reid, a 46-year-old slater and roofer, said he could still barely believe it after all they had gone through but that they were over the moon.