MOSSEL BAY NEWS -  A very excited Leticia Fourie (20) gave birth to the only New Year's baby in Mossel Bay yesterday, 1 January.

Fourie welcomed her little bundle of joy, Charlotte Kruger at 17:33 at the Mossel Bay Provincial hospital. 

She said she had known she would be giving birth on 1 January and while she had been excited, she was also nervous when her water broke.

When asked how she felt about Charlotte being born on New Year's Day, she said: "It feels like the whole world is celebrating with the family,".

Charlotte is one of 132 babies born at public health facilities across the Western Cape yesterday. Last year, there were no babies born on New Year's Day in Mossel Bay.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness said that from 00:00 on 1 January, "66 boys and 66 girls were safely delivered, bringing joy to families and communities across the province,".

It said the first baby of the year, a baby boy, was born at Mowbray Maternity Hospital at 00:00, weighing 3.8 kg, to proud mother Geneva Claasen.

"Shortly after, at 00:03, a baby boy was born at Paarl Hospital, weighing 3.5 kg. Third was a baby girl, born at Stellenbosch Hospital at 01:38, weighing 3.2 kg," said the department.

The department congratulated all parents and caregivers on the safe deliveries of their babies and extended a thank you to all the healthcare workers, especially midwives, "who sacrificed time with their own families to provide exceptional care to others on this special day," the department said. 

"As we embrace a new year filled with possibility, let’s commit to giving our children the best possible beginning. Together, we can help every family and new life start well," it said.

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