New year’s bundles of joy

FAMILIES in and around Durban will never forget new year’s day 2016, when they were blessed with beautiful bundles of joy.

At Netcare Parklands Hospital, three babies were born at various times on 1 January, and two moms at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital also had early arrivals, with both babies due in mid-January.

Bhavisha Morar had her little girl by c-section at 6.38am on 1 January at Netcare Parklands Hospital. She hasn’t been named yet. “We get our family priest to open a religious book to look at the date and time of birth. He then gives us good letters to use to name the baby based on this,” she said.

This is Bhavisha’s second child, as she has a two year old son, Aarav Baba, and she is glad to now have a pigeon pair.
“He seems to be excited to have a little sister, and is full of hugs and kisses for her. He was thrilled to get an ambulance, fire engine and police car from her yesterday,” she told Berea Mail on Saturday.
Looking to her future, Bhavisha said she would never push her little girl into anything, and that she must follow her heart, give her best and do everything with the utmost sincerity and honesty in life.

Nerisha and Alvin Reddy welcomed their little boy at 6.02am on New Year’s Day at Netcare Parklands Hospital. They said they hadn’t yet decided on a name.

This is their second child, as they have an 18-month-old daughter, Ria.
“She is a little jealous, but happy to have a little brother,” said Nerisha.

Alvin said the couple were very excited about this new arrival.
“It’s the perfect start to the new year!” he said.
The couple said he was a good natured boy, and was not at all grumpy.
“For his future, the skies the limit!” said Alvin.

The last new year’s baby born at Netcare Parklands Hospital on Friday was little Hadassah Hannah Ragavan.

Her proud mom, Delane, gave birth to her at 4.39pm on 1 January, however she could not be photographed by Berea Mail as she was in neonatal ICU.

“We spent more than 10 years trying for this little girl and she is our miracle baby! My husband Daniel and I are definitely excited,” she said.

Delane said her daughter’s name was from the Bible, with Hadassah meaning compassion, and Hannah meaning favour and grace.

“Hadassah was due on 21 January so I thought I’d have a few more weeks to prepare for her birth, but my water broke, and I didn’t realise what it was, and I went to the new year’s eve service at church, and only then felt pains! It was a big surprise and during labour my doctor asked if I had practiced my breathing. I said I thought I’d have a few more days!” she said.

She said she couldn’t wait to hold her baby, as she and Daniel were only able to hold her hand.

“We were only able to hold her after delivery, and haven’t been able to spend too much time with her, so we can’t wait to carry her!” she said.

Delane’s dream for her daughter’s life was that she grows up in Christ.

“I will do everything in my power to bring her up in His ways,” she said.

Noleen Naicker was blessed with little Dameek Keyano, thanks to fertility specialist at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital, Prof Jay Bagratee. Noleen had a c-section at 12.10am on 1 January, and Dameek was a healthy 3.38kg.

“I was due on 15 January, but I had a c-section as I had gestational diabetes and Prof Bagratee thought it best. We started fertility treatment and it took the first time. I didn’t mind if it was more than one baby, but I stuck to what the doctor said I must do, I lost weight and watched my diet, and everything worked out well. He is a great doctor, and my husband Nolan, and I put our faith in him, he promised us it would work!” she said.

She said she and Nolan wanted two more children after Dameek.
“I get to hold him a lot, even though he’s in NICU. The best gift ever is being a mother! When they first showed him to me I started to cry!” she said.

She said he was a very quiet baby and he sleeps well. “He knows us and responds when we speak to him. He has only cried once, when he came out,” she said.

Nolan said he was very excited about the new arrival and that he would be following in his father’s footsteps and joining him in the trucking business. “He is a future entrepreneur!” he said.

Vanessa Singh is very excited about the birth of her daughter, Vikasha, who was born at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital by emergency caesar at 7.58am, weighing 3kg.

“She decided to come early, as she was due on 16 January, so it was a big surprise!” she said.
Vanessa said Vikasha was her miracle baby, as she has a 20-year-old son, Richie.
“My son is very excited to have a little sister. He is now the boss, and said he is going to take care of his sister. All the rules are coming into place now, and he is going to teach her all the things he did, that she mustn’t do!” she said.

Vanessa’s husband Vikash is over the moon, and is looking forward to bringing up his little girl.
“It’s too early to see what she is going to be like, but I would like her to be like her mummy!” he said.
Vanessa said her little girl was very good natured, and once she had had her feed,’she is out!”