Tammy Duckworth becomes first US senator in office to give birth

US Senator Tammy Duckworth, 50, has given birth to a daughter, becoming the first sitting female US senator to give birth while in office.

The Illinois Democrat said on Twitter that Maile Pearl Bowlsbey was named after her husband's great aunt, who served as a nurse during World War Two.

In a series of tweets, she also thanked her family and medical team.

Ms Duckworth is an ex-army helicopter pilot who had both her legs amputated after crashing in Iraq in 2004.

The Iraq War veteran had previously made history when she became the first disabled woman elected to the US senate.

She becomes one of only 10 women to ever give birth while holding elected federal office