BEST GIFT THEY COULD WISH FOR
THREE COUPLES HAVE CHRISTMAS DAY BABIES AT LEICESTER’S HOSPITALS
THREE joyous but presumably exhausted couples welcomed little bundles of joy in the city’s maternity units on Christmas Day.
Weighing a healthy 8.4lb, Teddy Horne was the first to arrive when he was delivered shortly after midnight at Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI).
Mum and dad Holly and Josh, of Leicester Forest East, have been together for 10 years this month, and married two years ago
Teddy, who was delivered by midwife Gladys Obeng, is their first child.
Speaking on Boxing Day, Josh said: “It’s all been great and mum and baby are both doing well.
“Understandably, Holly’s in a bit of discomfort but is getting better and we’re hoping to get home by the end of the day.
“Everyone at the hospital was amazing.
“It was like a military operation. The whole process was really quick.
“We went from being told he’d arrive some time on Christmas Day to ‘it’s happening now’, and the room suddenly filled with people and then the next thing we knew baby is here.”
Mital Kamli and Ketan Visnum welcomed their precious gift at Leicester General shortly after 1.30am on Christmas Day.
Ketan said: “With us being in on Christmas Eve it was very festive.
“Mital’s colleagues have all been saying that she was going to give birth on Christmas Day, so we’ve had a lot of messages this morning from everyone. I’m so proud of Mital and all the staff, it was very special.
“It’s been great, it really has, and now we’re looking forward to some time at home and introducing him to his older sister.”
A few hours later at 7am, Olivia Rutkowski was born at Leicester General to parents Karolina Wojcianowska and Krystian Rutkowski.
Olivia was delivered by midwife Issie Hamptom. Lead midwife Marisa Asbury, who oversaw deliveries at Leicester General Hospital on the day, has worked at Leicester’s hospitals since 1989, working at both Leicester Royal Infirmary, and more recently, Leicester General.
She said: “In many ways, it’s a normal day – our patients still have the same compassionate care they would on any other day, and we’re here to make sure that everyone can have a safe and special experience.
“I’ve worked a few Christmases in my career, and we definitely do try and make the most of festivities.
“Giving birth on Christmas Day has a few extra trimmings – there’s Christmas music on, a few festive uniforms and decorations.
“As a team, we’re doing everything
we can on the wards to stay Covidsafe, so it looks a bit different this year, but it’s still a very special experience for families and our teams.”
The Santa Squad made sure young patients did not miss out
A hospitals spokeswoman said: “Christmas does look different at Leicester’s Hospitals this year, but one thing that didn’t change was presents on Christmas Day.
“Despite the fact that the public could not donate presents this year, with the help of Leicester Hospitals Charity every patient in hospital on Christmas Day received a gift.”
Meanwhile, play specialists in the Children’s Hospital made sure young patients and their families experienced some festive cheer, including a gift for every child.