Nicole Richie, once top of the least-likely-to-conceive list, has given birth to a daughter, Harlow Winter Kate Madden. The former waif gave birth at the celebrities' favourite maternity ward, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA, just hours before Christina Aguilera gave birth in the same ward.

Harlow weighed in at 6lbs 7oz and mum and dad, Joel Madden, singer with rock band Good Charlotte, are said to be "ecstatic". Madden told People magazine "We are very blessed she's healthy and beautiful."

Their daughter is named after Jean Harlow, the 1930s filmstar nicknamed the Blonde Bombshell, who was more famous for her sex appeal than her acting talent...

The pregnancy

Famous for her painfully thin frame and party lifestyle, Nicole seemed unlikely to conceive, let alone to want to settle down for a couple of years of nappy-changing.

Speculation began with the publication of paparazzi shots of Richie with a definite bump. As is traditional, her rep refused to comment, but then she was spotted leaving a reproductive clinic, buying a $300 nappy changing bag and spending $1500 at baby boutique Petit Tresor, the cat was out the bag. Finally she admitted all: "We are (having a baby). I'm almost four months."

Not Such a Simple Life.

The news came as even more of a surprise and source of joy for the star considering the other aspects Nicole's life. She has been in and out of rehab for heroin addiction and was in the middle of a court case for Driving Under The Influence when she became pregnant.

Eventually found guilty, a 4-months pregnant Nicole was sentenced to four days in prison, though thanks to overcrowding and the problems housing such a high-profile inmate, she eventually spent only 82 minutes inside.

On the bright side

Nicole has had a troubled relationship with her parents and went off the rails in a rather alarming style in recent years, but her pregnancy seems to have brought a new maturity.

She told People magazine: "When I found out that I was pregnant, there was just something inside of me that felt a responsibility to mend any issues that I've had with my parents in the past, because, listen, I've put them through a lot".

Nicole and Joel seem to have found happiness together, and there have been reports that they are planning a wedding for summer 2008. Her father, Lionel Richie, seems to share the couple's happiness, joking "I'm just hoping that it doesn't cost me a fortune".

Although Lionel seems happy with Nicole's choice of fiancé, the Good Charlotte frontman has attracted negative attention from the media after getting into several fights with paparazzi.

Whatever the future brings for the new family, we're sure we'll be reading all about it soon after it happens.

Born: 12th January 2008

Any other children: She's only 26, so there's plenty of time as long as she can stay out of trouble...