One of Britain’s biggest babies has been born to Weymouth parents.

James Sime has made a bid to be the biggest baby born at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester - weighing in at 12lbs 5oz.

Laura Sime, 33, welcomed baby James on April 30 with husband Calum, 34.

James was born by Caesarean section after a routine growth scan at the 38th week of pregnancy - with the 37th week at full-term - showing that James was already weighing 11lbs 12ozs in the womb.

Dorset Echo:
Laura said: “When I was told what size he was I had to catch my breath. I nearly fell off the hospital bed, I was so shocked. It was unknown why he was so big as they automatically think it’s down to gestational diabetes but it was suggested that the placenta wasn’t working properly.”

Dorset Echo:
After birth James spent a few days in the hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit.
“He filled out his little special care cot,” Laura said. “They’re used to babies that are two or two pounds, but he was touching the sides of the cot.”

Baby James was in the 100th percentile of baby weight. He’s now gone from the 100th percentile for his age to the 98th and currently weighs 14lb 10oz.

“He outgrew his clothes very fast and quickly went from 0 sized nappies to those for babies from three to six months,” Laura said.

The family has relocated from London to live in Weymouth, with Laura following her parents to Dorset after they decided to retire in the area.

James has a proud big sister in Evie, four, who dotes on her younger sibling. 

“When Evie was born she was 8lb 11ozs,” Laura said. “I’m not sure why James was so big. From my scan at 30 weeks we knew he was going to be a decent size. It was an uncomfortable pregnancy towards the end.

“The hospital was so cautious towards James’s health needs. I want to praise the staff at Dorset County Hospital. Although Calum couldn’t stay at the hospital with the coronavirus situation, the staff there were so good and everyone had masks on throughout. We received excellent care.”