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It was an extra special start to the year for several families in Worcestershire who celebrated the arrival of newborn babies on the first day of the new year.
Six little ones had arrived at Worcestershire Royal Hospital by lunchtime on January 1.
Among the parents celebrating was Worcester resident Alfin Jose, 32, whose baby girl Evelyn arrived at 9.34am.
Weighing in at 7lbs 9oz, Evelyn came as a bit of a surprise to Alfin who wasn’t expecting her for a few days yet.
She said: “The due date was January 3 but at around half-four on New Year’s Eve I started having contractions.
“Luckily everything worked out okay.
“I’m quite tired now but it’s definitely the most exciting way to start the year.”
Evelyn is Alfin’s second child with her partner, John Thekkeparambil, and joins their four-and-a-half-year-old daughter Amelia.
“Amelia’s going to be visiting in the next half an hour or so and she is just so excited,” said Alfin.
“She really wanted to have a little sister.
“It’s like a New Year present!”
The first baby to arrive on New Year’s day at Worcestershire Royal Hospital was born at 3.35 am.
Lead midwife, Debb Hughes, said that six babies had been born by lunchtime and she expected to finish the day with around ten newborns, which is about average.
One of the earliest arrivals was Cai Harbun-Evans.
Parents Claire Harbun, 38, and Mark Evans, 42, from Redditch, were beaming despite the early start, with their son Cai arriving at 6.16am on New Year’s day.
“It’s all going really well so far, he’s just been nice and quiet,” said Claire.
“My original due date was New Year’s day and that was brought forward to New Year’s eve but then he came today anyways.
“It’s really quite a magical way to start the year.”
Cai, who weighs 7lbs 3.5oz, is Claire and Mark’s first child together.
When we visited just after midday, Mark’s older son, 18, hadn’t yet heard the good news.
Mark said: “I messaged him but he hasn’t seen it yet.
“I think he was out celebrating New Year’s eve so I’m not sure he even knows yet but he was really excited about it.”
