1st Jan Baby: "She Wanted Us To Have A Brand New Start"
This determined baby emerged 12 minutes past midnight despite her parents' initial efforts to avoid giving birth on New Year's Day.
By Ng Mei Yan -
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Having a New Year baby was never on the cards for second-time parents Aqmar Anuar and Firdaus Jalaini. The couple had planned for a caesarean section on January 2, 2024, just five days shy of their baby's expected due date.
"We wanted to go out and enjoy the countdown. In fact, I asked the baby to come only after hearing the fireworks," 33-year-old Aqmar jests. Besides, her elder daughter, aged two and a half, was born on June 2. "I thought it'd be nice to have baby's birthday on the second day of the month too."
But the manager at a local stat board had more than an inkling that this baby, who was conceived via in-vitro fertilisation, wasn't going to stick to the plan.
A dramatic start to 2024
Aqmar, Firdaus and their daughters at the hospital. Photo: Aqmar and Firdaus
Intermittent contractions began as early as the afternoon of December 30, but they were not strong or frequent enough to warrant running to the hospital. In fact, the couple even went shopping on New Year's Eve and were on their way out at night to catch a countdown event at Woodlands when labour pains became more intense.
"I told my husband, it's go-time," recalls Aqmar, who immediately made her way down to Parkway East Hospital with her husband Firdaus. The baby, who is yet to be named, made her entrance through C-section 12 minutes past midnight on the first day of 2024.
She was the first baby to be born in 2024 across the local hospitals in the IHH Healthcare group - they include Gleneagles Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Parkway East Hospital. The family received gift hampers from the healthcare group.
"The birth date was totally unexpected, and I thanked our doctor and the team for spending their New Year's Day with us," says Aqmar. The couple have also introduced baby to her older sister Farha, who is looking forward to bonding with the newest member of the family.
A brighter year ahead
Aqmar's tone turns from jovial to sombre when asked about her hopes for the family in the coming year. "I hope 2024 will be a better year. In 2023, we lost my younger brother to a workplace accident. We actually did the embryo transfer for our baby on his birthday," she recalls.
The successful IVF attempt brought immense joy to the grieving family. And the surprising birth date was yet another celebratory beacon. "It really felt like a special moment, and that baby wanted us to have a brand new start."