General News
19 January, 2023
Tommy's the first of four New Year bubs
Horsham's Blair Burke has good reason to be absent from her work as a Grampians Health maternity nurse - she has a new baby herself. The Grampians Health nurse and partner James Howe welcomed Tommy Frank Howe into their family about 8.50am on New...
Horsham's Blair Burke has good reason to be absent from her work as a Grampians Health maternity nurse - she has a new baby herself.
The Grampians Health nurse and partner James Howe welcomed Tommy Frank Howe into their family about 8.50am on New Year's Day weighing 4320 grams.
Tommy is the second child for the couple and brother to Layla, 2.
Ms Howe said the New Year's Day birth was a surprise to friends.
She had started labour when the couple sat down to dinner with friends at Halls Gap to celebrate New Year's Eve.
"But the contractions were mild and we didn't let on," she said. "They were very surprised when they heard the next day the baby had arrived.
"He's an easy baby and his sister loves giving him lots of kisses and cuddles," she said.
Tommy's birth kicked off a remarkable day for the hospital - with four births on the day - and all boys.
The other New Year's babies born in Grampian's Health's Yandilla maternity ward were Ryker James Archibald, Tate John-Walter Hickey and Grayson Jack Hickmott.
Maternity services manager Jane Rentsch said it was the first time she could recall that many babies on New Year's Day.
“It’s got to be some type of record for the first day of the year here,” Mrs Rentsch said.
She remembered at one time before Covid having 11 babies in Yandilla at the same time.
“But they weren’t all born on the same day and it wasn’t New Year’s Day," she said.
“The most I can remember being born in any 24-hour period was five, so 11 is extraordinary."
The Yandilla team had an early start with the arrival of Tommy, then nearly two hours later, Ryker James Archibald was born at 10.36am.
Tate John-Walter Hickey arrived at 11.40am and three became four when late that evening Grayson Jack Hickmott was born at 10.14pm.
Mrs Rentsch praised the nursing and midwifery team for their excellent work.
“It was great teamwork and coordination to make sure that each birth was a great and joyful experience,” she said.
One of the afternoon shift midwives had gone in early to support the team.
"Everyone deserves a pat on the back for their efforts,” she said.
All but one of the mothers said they had already taken advantage of Grampians Health’s new maternity outpatients clinic in McLachlan Street, Horsham.