Britney Spears has given birth to a baby boy.

The news, which began circulating Wednesday afternoon, was confirmed by a posting on the singer's Web site early Thursday morning (September 15) that said, "It's a boy!

"We are ecstatic to announce the birth of our son," read the posting, which was signed by both Spears and her husband, Kevin Federline. "Everyone is happy, healthy and doing wonderful. Thank you all for your love and well wishes!"

Us Weekly had trumpeted the news on Wednesday, citing unidentified sources at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, California, claiming that the singer arrived at the hospital with a police escort shortly before 6 a.m. that day, and was wheeled into delivery just after noon, delivering her son via Caesarean section. (The National Enquirer had reported earlier that day that Spears had gone into labor, but had no further details by the time Us Weekly broke the news.)

The media coverage was raised to a fever pitch as several outlets, including The Associated Press, jumped on the story, citing Us Weekly. Paparazzi staked out the facility, as did news helicopters, all lying in wait for a potential shot of the singer or a member of her family. But it wasn't until Thursday morning when Spears' site and People magazine carried the statement saying it was official.

Just as media outlets rushed to call the birth -- almost as if it were an election -- now the race is on for any additional details, since the usual elements of a birth announcement were withheld. (Spears' representatives didn't offer comment or further information, referring reporters instead to the minimal statement on the Web site.)

So now the game to find the name is on; Us Weekly, citing unnamed sources, has said it's Preston Michael, while "Access Hollywood" has reported that it's Sean Preston. Meanwhile a source close to Spears told MTV News that the boy's name will be Christian Michael (see "What Should Britney Name Her Baby?").

In the October issue of Elle magazine, Spears said she'd prefer to have a C-section, and if that wasn't an option, "I'll be like, 'Epidural, please!' ... I don't want to go through the pain."

Spears announced that she was pregnant in mid-April, posting on her Web site that the time had come "to share our wonderful news that we are expecting our first child together" (see [article id="1500021"]"It's Official: Britney's Pregnant"[/article]). The singer kept her due date under wraps, though her sister, Jamie Lynn, let it slip on her own Web site that it would be in September. After that, her reps alluded to a September date, though they didn't specify exactly when she was due.

[article id="1509584"](Click for photos of Britney's pregnancy.)[/article]

The birth marks Spears' first and Federline's third child; Federline already has two children with former girlfriend Shar Jackson: 3-year-old Kori and 1-year-old Kaleb.

MTV News will have more on this breaking story as it develops.

[This story was originally published at 10:57 a.m. ET on 09.15.2005]