By Hayley Robinson

Becoming parents for the second time was a very different scenario for one couple.

Simone and George Whelan had just days to get ready for the birth of their first child Ryan after a scan revealed Simone was just four days away from her due date. Despite the initial shock the couple remained calm, as they had been trying for a baby for six years.

Ryan was eventually born 13 days after his due date at Medway Maritime Hospital on August 31, 2009, weighing 7lb 8.5oz.

Fast forward 14 months and the couple, who live in Fielder Close, Murston, are celebrating the planned birth of their daughter Ellie, who was also born at Medway Maritime Hospital, at 3.40am on October 16, weighing 7lb 11oz.

Simone, who weighed 20 stone when she signed up to Slimming World in August 2007, underwent IVF treatment in July 2009 after the NHS agreed to fund the process if she lost four stone. But unbeknown to her she was already expecting Ryan, which she described as a miracle as she suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome, which reduces fertility.

She has since gone on to lose six-and-a-half stone and attributes her weight loss to helping her fall pregnant.

Simone said: "It's definitely down to losing the weight. I put on two stone with Ellie, but I've got just three pounds to lose to get rid of the last bit.

"We didn't have fertility treatment this time. We just thought we'd give it until the new year and see what happens as we didn't know if we'd have to wait again.

"Ryan has his good days and bad days with her because he doesn't really understand, but on Tuesday night he gave her his first kiss good night.

"I love being a mum. It's the best job in the world and I wouldn't swap them for anything."

Simone, 32, and George, 39, are not sure whether they will expand their family further.