Latrobe Regional Hospital’s first birth in 2013 was the only baby born that day after a “Christmas rush” of 24 births the week before.
Jodie and Troy Mortimer’s son, Charlie Lee Frank Mortimer, was born through an emergency Cesarian at 4.13am on 1 January, weighing 4.17-kilograms with no health problems.
Mrs Mortimer said she was expecting to be induced on 7 January, but was due 31 December, so she knew there was a strong possibility of Charlie being the first baby born in the new year.
“The nurses reassured us that we would have him that day, so we knew he was going to be a new year’s baby,” she said.
“I thought it would be pretty special, and it would always be a nice party.
“Some people view being born on the first (of January) as a negative thing, because at this time of year often people are away, but we don’t see it that way. It’s a blessing.”
Mrs Mortimer said in the lead up her concern was he would be born on Christmas Day, and was relieved when he was not so she could spend it opening presents with her four year-old son Luca.
“After that I was thinking ‘okay, you can come when you’re ready now’,” she said.
The couple knew they were having a boy, but said they had not entertained the idea of a New Year-themed name.
“We’re very family orientated. Charlie’s middle names are after my brothers’ middle names and my dad’s first name Frank,” she said.
