AT LEAST FOUR new babes joined celebrations in Barbados marking the birth of the Christ child yesterday.
The baby girl born to 27-year-old Shanell Wickham, of Welches Terrace, St Michael, was the first Christmas birth at 3 a.m. at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). She weighed in at six pounds, 15 ounces.
Wickham said she had not planned a Christmas Day delivery, but was elated all the same.
“It feels very good . . . . A day or two overdue, but I’m happy. The pain was a little harsh but good. It didn’t take too long,” she said, adding that she had not chosen a name as yet.
Wickham, who also has a two-year-old daughter, was presented with a hamper for delivering the first baby of the day by business development officer of Massy Distribution, Kaffy-Ann Harewood.
Two days after her water broke and she was admitted to the QEH, 33-year-old Yolanda David became a first-time mum. Her baby girl made a premature arrival just after 9 a.m. weighing in at one pound, seven ounces. The 28-week-old baby is currently in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit.
David, of Seaview, St James, was still tired when she spoke to members of the media, but she said she was willing to go through a second pregnancy.
“I’m going to go again. I always wanted two children. Anything God give me I would accept.”
Eighteen-year-old Afiya Collymore gave birth to the lone boy born up to yesterday evening. He made his appearance at 12:15 p.m. and was a bouncing seven pounds, nine ounces.
A fourth child, a girl, was also delivered at the QEH but the mother declined to disclose information on herself or the child.
There was one expectant mother in active labour at the QEH and no admissions at Bayview Hospital up to press time. The number of births yesterday equalled last year’s Christmas Day figure. This year the girls outnumbered the boys three to one as well. (YB)
