Sol MacIntosh Hart-Gordon, born at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee at 5.15pm on July 9 weighing 6lb 11oz, attended his mother Clare Hart's Abertay University graduation ceremony on July 10, making him the university's youngest ever graduation guest.
Mother's Determination
Clare Hart, 40, feared she might miss her graduation after her due date of July 3 passed. However, she felt well enough to attend the ceremony at Caird Hall in Dundee, dressed in a tiny suit with waistcoat and bow tie, accompanied by father Darren Gordon and other family members. She graduated with a First-Class Honours Degree in BSc (Hons) Food, Nutrition and Health.
Hart said: "The plan was always going to be playing it by ear, and Sol's due date came and went, and I worried that I wasn't going to make it to graduation. I really wanted to be with my classmates and lecturers, and to bring closure to one story before starting my new journey."
Post-Birth Recovery
After receiving clearance from midwives, Hart went home for a few hours of sleep. She said: "When he came on Thursday evening, I didn't know if I could manage. When I was given the all-clear from the midwives, I went home and had a few hours' sleep in my own bed, and Sol had a very settled night. I woke up feeling refreshed and it just felt right – I don't know if it was just adrenaline or not, but I tried not to put any pressure on myself or on Sol and I think that played a huge part."
Sol remained settled during the ceremony, which Hart described as "a huge relief." She added: "I'm so glad I managed to go along and spend a couple of hours there. It just felt so surreal."
Balancing Pregnancy and Studies
Hart, from Dundee, said her pregnancy coincided with one of the busiest periods of her degree, particularly during assessments and dissertation work. She thanked her family, fellow students, and university staff for their support. "You're trying to juggle all of these plates and wear all the different hats, and you can't do it on your own. My classmates and lecturers have been so supportive from the very beginning. I feel so lucky and I couldn't have asked for a better support system," she said.
On graduation morning, she messaged her class group chat about the birth and her intention to attend. "They couldn't believe it. Everyone's faces lit up when I walked into the Caird Hall to find my seat."
Future Plans
Hart, already a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, plans to establish a holistic health and nutrition coaching business, combining her nutrition degree with existing expertise. Her partner Darren Gordon praised her determination: "Clare's incredible. This was a completely natural birth, and both baby and mum are happy and healthy. It's just incredible that she was able to make it here – nothing was stopping her and I think it was just meant to be."
