Nurses at the San Fernando General Hospital delivered six babies yesterday, as citizens across T&T rang in the New Year, marking the start of a new decade. Omega Pivotte, 27, of Couva was the first to give birth. Her baby who weighed 3.36 kilograms, bawled his way into the world at exactly 1.17 am. More than four hours later at 5.20 am, Diane Modeste, 25, gave birth to a baby girl, followed by Donna Ramcharan, 38, of Debe who brought forth her baby girl at 5.30 am. Modeste's baby weighed 3.8 kilograms, while Ramcharan's baby weighed 3.7 kilograms.
All of the mothers praised the health staff led by Dr Krishna Rampersadsingh, head nurse of the nursery Shalini Ali, as well as nurses Joyce Reid and Raya Taylor. Pivotte said she did not expect to have a New Years baby. "My due date was December 26. So when I went into labour I was surprised. I had a long labour so I did not expect this. I am thankful and relieved that the baby is healthy," Pivotte said. Modeste of Perseverance, Couva said she also had a difficult labour. Both she and Ramcharan said they had not yet put names for their babies. They said while most people were feteing on Old Year's night, they were writhing in pain. The young mothers said they needed a rest after the ordeal. Up to midday, three more babies were delivered at the Hospital. All of the children were said to be healthy.