FIVE boys and two girls were ushered safely into the world through the skillful hands of midwives at the New Amsterdam (NA) Hospital on Christmas Day.

The first delivery was, a girl, born to 21-year-old Felicia Wilson of Mount Sinai, West Canje Berbice. This bundle of exquisite joy entered the world weighing three kilogrammes at 04:55 hrs on the most celebrated day in the year.

The young mother told reporters that her expected date for delivery of her first child was said to be January 6, but she started to experience labour pains on Christmas Eve Day, and got her heart’s desire hours after being hospitalised.

She said the experience was painful, as doctors induced labour. “I did not expect to get a Christmas baby, but I am very happy.”

The success of the first delivery continued throughout the day, with 20-year-old Owamattie Seepersaud of Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder delivering a boy who weighed 3.4kg. This baby was also Omawattie’s first child. She was expected to deliver on December 23, and travelled to the New Amsterdam Hospital upon the advice of her primary health care givers who had noted that the Mibicuri Hospital does not deliver first babies.

However, while the young mother is glad to have her baby, she said the experience is not one she wants to remember. “It was too much of pain. I could not sleep all night; could not sit, could not stand…I had to walk all night.”

Within an hour after Omawattie’s delivery, 16-year-old Andrea Gaskin delivered a son weighing 3.6kg. Although disappointed because she had wanted a daughter, the elated teen was grateful for the safe delivery of her child.

Meanwhile, the busyness of the labour room continued when 25-year-old Shonette Mendonza of Moleson Creek, Upper Corentyne delivered her third child at 07:15hrs – a boy weighing 2.92kg.

Mendonza was initially admitted to the Skeldon Hospital during the wee hours of December 25, but, after experiencing a constant decline in her blood pressure, was transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Neerupa Teekram of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, who had travelled to the New Amsterdam Hospital for her delivery upon the advice of the doctor at the Woodley Park Health Centre, delivered a boy, much to her delight, at 08:00 hrs.

The young mother said she had become extremely worried after her November 18 due date had passed, but was assured by medical staff at the health centre that all would be well.

These infants were all delivered by midwife Candesa Caesar.

During the next shift, nurse Marlyn Tinnie assisted 28-year-old Denise La Fleur of Bara Cara, Canje River to deliver her fourth child, a girl, into the world.

“I am happy because next year I will have both Christmas and my baby’s first birthday the same day,” La Fleur mused.

As the most experienced mother to deliver a baby at that regional health institution on Christmas Day 2014, La Fleur commended the nurses for their care and treatment. “They have come a long way, and I am pleased”, she said.

Just as this publication was about to leave the institution, yet another baby was delivered, this time to 22-year-old Delisa Haywood of Sandvoort Village, West Canje. The time was 15:00hrs, and Delisa’s baby, a boy, weighed 3.16kg.

Collectively, the delivery room staffers were highly praised by the mothers for their support, resilience and expertise. --- (Jeune Bailey-VanKeric)