Bryn's arrival finishes National Women's 40-year run

By CLAIRE TREVETT

Weighing in at 2.98kg, Bryn Stroobant-Bennetts found out early in life that coming last can bring as much glory as coming first.

Just three-hours old, Bryn was lying in his tired but besotted mother's arms facing the phalanx of cameras and reporters at National Women's Hospital yesterday.

Bryn was the first-born child of Emma Stroobant, a Ph D student in education, and Craig Bennetts, hearing aide technician, from Browns Bay. But he was the last born for National Women's Hospital.

For the last 40 years, the hospital's walls have seen the tears, the joys, the worrying and rejoicing of much of the Auckland population.

Over 250,000 babies were born there at a rate of about 20 a day. The line stretched back to Jeffrey Vollebregt, who was the first baby born there in 1964. He is now living in Singapore.

By yesterday afternoon, the hallways were bereft of their usual hum. The flower stall at the entrance was shut, and just a few bundles of joy remained, either waiting to move to the new hospital, or go home.

Bryn was the last of 11 babies to be born at the old hospital from midnight yesterday.

Father Craig Bennetts said their claim to fame was a surprise to all.

"It was unexpected. He was a week late, but by last night when he had not come, we were expecting to be at the new hospital. It didn't quite work out that way.

"The midwife was keeping us informed, but we didn't think we would be the last because when we got here, two other women were already here."

Helena Vollebregt remembered the last time National Women's Hospital moved. She was already in labour when she was carried on a stretcher from Cornwall Hospital to the Greenlane site next door in 1964.

"I think about two hours later, the baby arrived. It was all very exciting because the Auckland Star and television were behind the door of the delivery room while I was having the baby, waiting so they could get him in the news."

Her grandchildren had all since been born there, the youngest last year.

"When I had my sons, you wouldn't get out of bed for the first seven days and the nurses would bring your baby to you to feed.

"Then you would go to the nursery and learn to bathe him and things. You stayed in a fortnight in all."

She remembered mothers of the time being excited at the new hospital because of its single rooms.

"It was very modern. It was well known as the best maternity hospital in the Southern Hemisphere.

"In the old hospital there were 24 in a ward and so it was really exciting to have a room to yourself and to have your baby with you, rather than in the nursery."

As yesterday's babies were delivered, 24 babies in the neo-natal unit were being carefully bundled across town to Grafton.

The first baby was born at the new Auckland City Hospital birthing unit yesterday at 6.45pm.

A hospital spokeswoman said the baby was a boy but would not give any further details.