The Actress and Her Director Husband Introduce Their Baby Daughter, Mia

Right: In this touching photograph, new parents Kate Winslet and Jim Threapleton look overwhelmed by the emotion of the birth of their baby daughter, Mia, but there is no mistaking the total love and devotion on their faces.

Protectively clutching their precious tiny bundle, proud first-time parents Kate Winslet and Jim Threapleton gaze adoringly at their beautiful baby girl, Mia. In this touching photograph issued by the couple, baby Mia sleeps in a cozy white botton blanket, blissfully unaware of hte joy that her arrival has brought her parents. The couple seem overwhelmed by the emotion of the birth, but no one could doubt that the expression of total love and devotion on their faces. And, despite the gruelling pain of labour, which Kate is believed to have undergone without the aid of an epidural, the actress looks fresh faced and glowing with the joy of motherhood.

Caption: Above-Left: Kate is one of Britain's most accomplished young stars

Weighing 8lb. 9oz, baby Mia was born at an undisclosed London hospital at 5:40am on Thursday, October 10 [actually October 12]. Renowned for turning her back on the glitzy celebrity lifestyle, the down-to-earth star and her director husband are keen to keep details of Mia's birth as private as possible. And, with the help of her adoring partner and close-knit family by her side, the exhausted, but elated, star is steadily adjusting to motherhood as she recuperates at her riverside home in London. Like many first-time mums, 25-year-old Kate was keen to show off her new baby - whose name means 'me' in Italian - to a string of visitors, including her parents, Sally and Roger. However, all Mia is concerned with is making sure she gets her regular feeds followed by periods of uninterrupted sleep.

Ever since she starred in the blockbuster movie Titanic opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate's career has blossomed, making her one of Britain's most sought-after young actresses. Reading-born Kate worked throughout much of her pregnancy and, at five months, played a mum-to-be in the war drama Enigma. Now, however, she is taking a break from work to concentrate on caring for her daughter, who is the couple's top priority. "I've never been one for changing what is real in order to make my career buzzz," says Kate. "Career comes second. Some actors do back-to-back jobs and are anxious when others are in the limelight. That's not me."

Kate is also unlikely to embark on a strict health and fitness regime soon after Mia's birth. In fact, her 26-year-old husband, whom she married over two years ago, seems keen that Kate should retain her rounded tummy. "Jim in completely beside himself," she said in June. "The other day, he said: 'When we have the baby, do you think you would keep your tummy?' I said that after I've had our baby, I'll go back to having a lovely, flat stomach with a nice waist and he said: 'I don't want that one, I want this one.'" The good-natured actress added: "People have always told me I have child-bearing hips and now it's time to put them to good use."

Caption: Above-Right - Like many mothers-to-be, Kate wore clothes which displayed her bump. She worked throughout much of her pregnancy and, at five months, played an expectant mother in the war drama Enigma

Grandfather Edward Threapleton was said to be thrilled with the new arrival after complaining that his family had 'so many boys'. His son Robin, added: 'It looks like he's got his wish. Everyone is so delighted. Kate will make a wonderful mother and Jim is over the moon."

Just before her wedding to Jim, whom she met on the set of the film Hideous Kinky in Morocco, Kate admitted that starting a family had become "the most important thing" in their lives. The young family are likely to settle into their new home overlooking the Thames, which they bought recently after selling their north London flat. They also have a Cornish hideaway.