Ananova:

Britney Spears says she is "ecstatic" after giving birth to her first chil.

"It's a boy!" she wrote on her website. "We are ecstatic to announce the birth of our son!"

The message continued: "Everyone is happy, healthy and doing wonderful. Thank you all for your love and well wishes!!"

Britney, 23, gave birth by caesarean section just before 1pm on Wednesday and she and Kev, 27, are said to have named the baby Preston Michael Spears Federline.

Brit had been given a police escort for the pre-arranged 5am trip to UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica.

Before the birth, she had admitted being afraid of the pain she may encounter. "My mom said giving birth was one of the most excruciating things she's ever gone through. So there are times when I get a little scared."

But the star had an easy birth, with Kev the only other non-medical person in attendance.

"Everything went very well and it was very uncomplicated," says a source. "Britney and the baby are in good health."