Parents welcome new year’s babies

THREE new bundles of joy were welcomed into the world at Durban hospitals on the first day of the new year.

One baby was born at Netcare Parklands Hospital on 1 January, while at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital, two doting mums were excited to share the news of their babies’ arrivals with Berea Mail.

Donovan Thompson and Jenna Crilly were overjoyed with the birth of their son, Hunter, who was born by c-section at 11.13am weighing 3.1kg.

“The original date for the caesar was 3 January but I started spotting and my doctor, Prof Jay Bagratee, told me to come through. It was very nerve-wracking but when I look at my baby I don’t remember any of that!” said Jenna.

The couple said they were excited that Hunter had been born on new year’s day, and Jenna described the feeling of having her first child as ‘incredible’. “I’m love-struck!” she said.

Donovan said Hunter had been a perfect baby so far and that he hadn’t cried for anything.

“He’s a perfect angel and has been good for the nurses,” said Jenna.

Donovan said his seven-year-old son was very excited to have a new baby brother, although he said he hoped he would be ok, as he was even jealous of their cat!

Speaking about their hopes for Hunter’s future, Donovan said he was going to be a boxer. “As long as he has brains, he can box!” laughed Jenna.

Mum, Thandeka Mthethwa, was over the moon about the birth of her ‘miracle child’ Akabongwe, which means ‘praise God’, who was born on 1 January at 3.36pm weighing 3.5kg.

This is Thandeka’s second child. She has a seven-year-old daughter who is looking forward to being a big sister to Akabongwe.

“I tried for years to have another baby but battled to fall pregnant, so there is a big gap between my children, but this is my miracle boy!” she said.

When asked if she felt excited about having her son on new year’s day, Thandeka responded “Too much!”

She said he had been due on 2 January and her labour started at 3am on 1 January. “Labour wasn’t too long, but he decided he wanted to come a little earlier,” she said.

Thandeka said Akabongwe had been a very quiet baby so far, although his eyes were always wide open. She said she was glad he was feeding and sleeping well.

The mum has high hopes for her son’s life, and said she hoped he would be “something big, like a doctor or a lawyer!”

At Netcare Parklands Hospital, the Hlongwanes were excited to meet their daughter, Mlondi Miracle, who was born at 4.55pm on New Year’s Day, weighing 3.7kg.

Her parents Mgcineni and Nomkhosi said they were very excited to have a baby born on 1 January.

“She is a gift for the new year,” said Nomkhosi, who said Mlondi was born five days early.

“Her due date was 6 January but she God willing decided to come earlier. We’re very happy with our gift from God,” said Mgcinene.

He said this was the couple’s second child and that their son, who is eight, was very excited to have a little sister.

“She is our miracle, as everything in this world is a miracle. We wish her everything of the best in her life,” said Nomkhosi.