THERE'S no other way to put it - Donna Smith's new baby Sienna is a Christmas miracle.

Ms Smith was supposed to deliver her fifth child, and her first in 13 years, in Roma Hospital's maternity ward on Christmas Day.

However, baby Sienna, weighing just six pounds and seven ounces, arrived nine days ahead of schedule.

With her and partner Will Putt having lost a child in the womb last year, Ms Smith said she had nearly given up hope.

"I haven't had a baby since 2002," she said.

Ms Smith said Sienna was the first child she'd had that was not screaming and crying all day.

"I love that she's so content - all them were loud except her," she said.

The birth was made all the more important since Ms Smith's father has fallen ill.

"My dad has been hanging on to see her - he hasn't got long," she said.

For new father Will, the whole experience of meeting his daughter Sienna has been hard to describe.

"I had no idea what it would feel like," he said.

Midwife Sonya Sloan has been helping mothers with childbirth for 15 years and said Ms Smith had been impressive considering how many years it had been since she had last given birth.

"She's been great considering it's been so long - she hadn't forgotten the steps she had to take," she said.

For Donna, there's only one word to describe her new child.

"She's just perfect."