Not the Royal Baby: stories from new parents in the UK

Leo: Our first born, Leo, arrived on Sunday 7th at 12:58am. So much has happened since that Im unsure as to what to share. I could tell you that going into labour after a 5km walk under the sun is a bad idea; that going up and down stairs is the best way to launch full blown contractions; that going from 1.5cm to 10cm can happen a hell of a lot faster than you would ever imagine; that just when you think it’s over, an ill-placed umbilical cord can make you age a decade in ten minutes; that meeting other father&sons along the corridors of a hospital is the best icebreaker I have ever known; that my missus is now, without a doubt, the single bravest, strongest, most bad-ass woman I have ever met. The truth is that right now Im shell-shocked and tired and excited and scared and jubilant and in general awe that I could have anything to do with something so amazing Photograph: AnotherVenezuelan/GuardianWitness

May Charlotte: May Charlotte at four days old. Born the 7th of the 7th weighing 7lbs 7oz. Lucky girl. Her dad and I were married on the same day as Kate and William and I was worried we might give birth on the same day and accidently choose the same name. We'd forever be known as the crazy royal stalkers... Photograph: Pinklilycat/GuardianWitness

Grace Ivy: Grace Ivy Watson was born on the 9 of July Our experience of labour and birth was long and enduring, but made so much more comfortable because of our stay at Helme Chase, a midwife lead NHS unit in Kendal. After our birth we stayed overnight in their 'home from home' room, which allowed us some alone time with our new daughter. The only indicator that we were in hospital was a few switches on the wall providing the security of midwife help on call should we need it. We did, especially to get us kick started with breastfeeding, and the staff were there to comfort us and help us get used to the process. They continued to do this for the next few days for my wife whilst she recovered on the ward. We feel truly blessed to have been able to experience the miracle of new life in the way made possible by the support of the midwives and the NHS. Photograph: Watsons/GuardianWitness

My baby born to be a Royalist: For years I have followed every major Royal event. Most recently I camped outside Westminster Abbey to ensure I got a good view of the happy couple at the Royal Wedding. So you can only imagine how excited I was when I found out that I had the same due date as Kate: 13th July. My boyfriend even said I could name the baby after the Royal Baby if ours was the same sex and born within 2 days of Wills and Kate's. However my little princess had other ideas. She came two weeks early on the 1 July so we compromised and I was allowed to give her the very Regal name of Rose Elizabeth. I thought that as she was conceived during the year of the Jubilee and born during the month of the 60th anniversary of the Queens Coronation that it was only fitting that we gave her the middle name of our much loved long reigning monarch Photograph: ID6539884/GuardianWitness

Rosalie: Rosalie was born two weeks late, at 9.33am on 15 July We know the time is right, because Big Ben told us from just across the river. Rosalie was helped into the world by the unbelievable team of Midwives at the Home From Home centre at St Thomas' Hospital. Constantly going above and beyond. Thank you so very much. Mum things labour is a nightmare. Dad thinks Mum is a genius. Photograph: stopwithme/GuardianWitness

Rosa Kathleen: Rosa Kathleen, born 12 days late on the 7 July at the Royal Sussex Hospital. She arrived on the morning of a perfect summer's day in Brighton after a long stop-start labour that had us thinking we would have a 4 of July baby! She came into this world naturally and weighed 7 pound 8 oz. We will never forget the moment we finally met her. I would like to thank the wonderful team of midwives, maternity nurses and doctors at the Royal Sussex. They are dedicated and passionate about what they do.. My long labour spanned several shift rotations, and I was incredibly touched that the midwives whose shifts had ended before Rosa arrived came to see us just before they went back on shift the following day. We feel lucky to have had her under the care of the wonderful health service in Brighton. The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of new experiences for all of us! Photograph: ID0310865/GuardianWitness

Alejandra - Our own Princess: Alejandra, born on 14 July at St George's Hospital, Wandsworth It's all a bit of a blur at the moment....great though!!! Photograph: David Griffiths/GuardianWitness

Tessa Marie: Baby Tessa was born at 4.50 am on Sunday 7th July at Conquest Hospital, Hastings. A sister to Tilly, Tessa managed her first smile on her first day in this world. During the labour, the hospital staff described Tessa as hyperactive. We were told a normal baby heart rate was 120-160, but over the next few hours Tessa's was averaging about 190, and sometimes over 200. The monitor machine alarm was going off so frequently that Dad's job was to switch it off each time to avoid panicking mum Lenka. Now baby Tessa has been born safely, she seems a very thoughtful and reflective little girl -certainly not the hyperactive character her birth suggested she would be Photograph: Roger Comerford/GuardianWitness

Jackson James Craig Dance: Jackson was born 6 days late on the 12.7.13 weighing 7lbs 10oz. He was brought into the world after 17 long hours of labour, very serenely in a birthing pool Jackson was born on the beautiful Willow suite at Heartlands Hospital Birmingham. Mommy and Daddy are both utterly in love and can't wait to see what the future holds for our boy. The open road, the path of greatness, is at your fingers... Photograph: mrsDance/GuardianWitness

Arthur Matthew Rowley: Wee Arthur was born on the 11th July at Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary, in the midst of some of the hottest weather Scotland has seen for a long time. Proud, bewildered and slightly shell-shocked parents are very much in love with their new boy, who will save the world in his own little way. Photograph: Meg Watson/GuardianWitness

our Royal baby Adriano Omar Lucau: Born on 20 July in Poole Dorset, weighting 7.9lb, our own Royal baby Adriano Omar Lucau took his time and was delivered 20 hours after his mother Shona admitted to hospital. Mother and the baby are doing fine. Photograph: Adriano Ndongala Lucau/GuardianWitness

Our Daughter Cara born today 22 July 2013: After 2 miscarriages we finally made it with our lovely baby daughter born today at 9.29am. Half English, Half Thai she really is the best gift we could have asked for. I read the news only a few hours later and only realised there is a chance that Prince William's baby could be born on the same day...Amazing!! Photograph: Andy Tomas/GuardianWitness

Juliette - Our second little princess: My half French little girl arrives 9 days on 1st July at 6:59am by emergency c section, weighing 6lb12 for 51cm. Labour, as with her sister, was not the easiest, but seeing your child for the first time is worth all the pain in the world. The staff at the Princess Ann wing of the Bath RUH was fantastic. Welocme to the world little Juliette - Maman, Daddy, your big sister Emilie and Ernie the cat love you! "No one else will ever know the strength of my love for you. After all, you're the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside". Photograph: frenchieminnie/GuardianWitness

Oliver James Derek Belgrove: Oliver was born at 11:54 this morning weighing 7lb 1oz, we wish all the best to the royal couple Photograph: Liam Belgrove/GuardianWitness

Hayden Peter lee Swann. 22.7.2013: My grandson was born today at 10.01am, at Walsall Manor Hospital, weighing 5lb 10oz, His daddy Lee had a baby vest made to propose to his mummy Hannah, it said will you marry my daddy, such a wonderful proposal with a beautiful ring to match, So congratulations to Hannah Whinnery and lee Swann Photograph: Lou Wilma Bradbury/GuardianWitness

Albert William Edward Henderson - Born 15/7/2013: Albert arrived a week late but after only 29 minutes of labour. Born in the water he is a little brother for 4 year old Harriet. We are all totally in love with him. Photograph: henderhe/GuardianWitness

Benjamin Frederick Valentine: Born 4 weeks premature due to preclampsia complications, Ben was born this morning, and is the #realroyalbaby The most intense day of our lives and that boy is strong! Photograph: Neil Valentine/GuardianWitness

Maybe we can get a half-penny? Leo Hancock was born in Willimantic, CT, USA just after 9PM GMT on July 22nd. He weighed in at 8lb, 6oz, just like the little Royal! His Mum is American, and his Dad is British. Maybe Leo is eligible for a half-penny? Photograph: Matt Hancock/GuardianWitness

Royal Connection: I live in the US and Share the same Birthdate as Diana, today my grandson was born also. Here is Gavin David. Photograph: Katheryn Neudecker/GuardianWitness

Nina Esther Carey: Nina Esther was born at 10:30am on 14 July 2013 during what I was told was the busiest (and perhaps hottest) weekends the King College maternity unit (London) had encountered. I spent 6 hours of my 40 hour labor in the waiting area before a bed was found for me in the antenatal ward. A room became free just in time- I was rushed through corridors and up lifts just in time for Nina's arrival. Thank you to the midwives Georgina and Bryanna and all those who made me feel so safe and looked after despite the chaos. Photograph: ID4017377/GuardianWitness