A baby boy born at the stroke of midnight on New Year at Mount Alvernia Hospital is perhaps the first infant born in the year 2019. A baby girl was born at the same hospital just 13 minutes later and could be the first female child to be born in Singapore in 2019.
The hospital shared on social media that the baby boy, named Reyes Neo, weighed 3.120kg and was delivered naturally after a six-hour labour. Reyes is the first child for his parents, Mr Neo Ching Liang and Mdm Lee Hui Ling.
Mdm Lee told the hospital: “It was a surprise for us. We thought that he would be the last baby of 2018, as I was admitted on 31 Dec midnight. It was a difficult pregnancy and I was extra careful during that period. It was a relief to see that Reyes is a healthy baby.”
Her husband said: “The joy was undescribable when I first saw Reyes. Reyes means royal, and we hope that he will be healthy and lead a good life.”
The baby girl, named Charlotte Lim, was delivered at 12.13am after a three-hour labour that her mother chose to undergo without an epidural. Charlotte is also first child for her parents, Mr Marcus Lim and Mdm Koh Bi Qi.
On why she chose to go for a natural birth without an epidural, Mdm Koh told Mount Alvernia: “It may be a ‘crazy’ idea to opt for a natural birth without epidural, but I wanted to experience it and I believe I can do it. It was an unforgettable experience. I am very thankful to see healthy Charlotte born into the world.”
Mount Alvernia Hospital’s Director of Nursing Ms Shirley Tay presented hampers and gifts to both Reyes’ and Charlotte’s parents, sponsored by Abbott, Merries Singapore, Nestlé Singapore, Pigeon Singapore and Mommy’s Bae.
The hospital also gave Reyes “a red packet and a limited edition Singapore Bicentennial Baby blanket from Mount Alvernia Hospital.”
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