Meet the Christmas Bundles of Joy
‘We try to make it special for them because who wants to be in the hospital even if you’re having a baby - on Christmas’
Meet Beniti, said to be Fiji’s first baby on Christmas Day at 12.07am. Born at CWM Hospital, Beniti weighs at a healthy 3.15kg.
The bundle of joy’s parents are from Kiribati and here for tertiary studies.
Her mother, Meritoka Betero, said she was not expecting to give birth to her firstborn on the auspicious day.
“My husband, who has returned to Kiribati, was happy to find out that our daughter was well and healthy and the top tier was that she was born on a jolly day,” she said.
“I will travel back home (Kiribati) with baby Beniti next year after completing my studies. I only have a semester left.”
Ms Betero acknowledged hospital staff members making the experience easier to handle
Registered midwife, Slanieta Lutumaitoga, said while they were still on duty, Christmas was joyful occasion for them given their line of duty in helping deliver babies into the world.
“The nurses all got together and we had a small morning tea in the morning,” she said.
Ms Lutumaitoga said to work with a group of people you consider your family is great and sometimes our patients just add to the extension of our family.
“We try to make it special for them because who wants to be in the hospital - even if you’re having a baby - on Christmas.”
“While it may be a surprise for the mothers, it can be the best gift to receive on Christmas,” she said.
West babies
At the Lautoka Aspen Hospital Christopher Singh was born at 3.20am.
Mother, Liviana Meli, said it was the best Christmas present anyone could ask for.
Christopher weighs 2.84kg. Ms Meli said is proud to be a mother at 19.
Also born in the West at the Nadi Hospital was a baby girl.
She was born at 9.02am. No deliveries were recorded at the Sigatoka and Rakiraki hospitals.
North babies
At Labasa Hospital, Adi Losavati and Ashmita Sharma, held onto their bundles of joy.
Ms Losavati gave birth to her third child, a boy, while Ms Sharma gave birth to her second, this time a girl.
Originally from Yaro Village in Kia Island and a strong Christian faith believer, Ms Losavati described her son’s birth as a blessing from Jesus.
“Millions around the world celebrate the day to honour Jesus for his life and goodwill to save the world from the clutches of sin,” she said.
The 29-year-old said this message during her labour and delivery experience encouraged her.
She vowed that she would also mold her son to serve, love, care and treat others like Jesus did for others.
“The joy and happiness has been doubled for my family with the news of our Christmas baby”.
She delivered at 12: 47am while Ms Sharma gave birth at 7am.
Ms Sharma said all her pain during delivery was overcome with the birth of her family’s first Christmas baby.
She felt special and grateful for a day she would never forget in her lifetime.
“I believe Christmas teaches us about family unity and I will impart these same teachings to my daughter,” she reiterated.
We try to make it special for them because who wants to be in the hospital - even if you’re having a baby - on Christmas. While it may be a surprise for the mothers, it can be the best gift to receive on Christmas. Salanieta Lutumaitoga Registered midwife.