Eleven years ago when she gave birth to her second child, Caparo mother Roxanne Riley-Webster thought that her family was completed. Riley-Webster was gifted with the first baby to be born at the San Fernando General Hospital on New Year's Day.
At 8 lbs 2 ounces, Rebecca Webster's cry at 12.09 am was her first song to the world, kicking off four births at hospital by noon. Despite her experience in childbirth, Riley-Webster said labour was still hard and she was just happy that it was over and her daughter safe. She said it was an exciting time for her family.
Sharda Persad, who had Kabeer Mohammed 40 minutes later, said she was relieved that it was over after spending 24 hours in labour. Kabeer, Persad’s fifth child, came out at 5 lbs, 7 ounces and was 13 days earlier than expected but safe and healthy. Persad said doctors had to induce labour because of low amniotic fluid. While Kabeer slept peacefully in his cot, Persad said she was tired and was unable to rest as she had been placed on a recliner since giving birth. The mothers were all presented with gifts from the South West Regional Health Authority.
Meanwhile, there were two births at the Scarborough General Hospital on the first day of 2019 and they were both boys. The first baby was born to Juanita Gumbs and Dwayne Nicholls of Milford Road, Bon Accord, at approximately 1:41 am Juanita is an Enrolled Nursing Assistant attached to the Geriatric Unit of the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) and Dwayne is a fisherman. Their baby weighed in at 7.35 lbs.
When officials of the TRHA visited the Maternity Ward of the Scarborough General Hospital (SGH), Juanita was excited at the birth of her third boy, whose brothers are ten and five. She had some advice for other mothers.
"Aim for the stars. Do what you have to do. Life might be tough but you have to do what you have to do. Make sure you're educated," said Gumbs who had tremendous praise for the doctors and nurses at the SGH.
The second baby weighed 6.07 lbs and was born at 7:23 am to Stacey, a housewife, and Neil McLetchie, a teacher at Hope AC Primary School. The McLetchie's reside at Buccoo New Road, Buccoo and are celebrating the birth of their fourth boy, the others aged 15, 12 and 8. McLetchie, 40, was ecstatic and lauded the doctors and nurses at the SGH.
"I'm happy. I'm happy. My husband knew it was another boy because he told me that from before. Everybody was telling me it was a girl but I had a feeling that it was another boy. I went through a lot of pain but once he came out safe, I'm happy. Thank God."