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Home / Rotorua Daily Post

Proud parents celebrate Christmas surprise (+video)

Rotorua Daily Post
25 Dec, 2016 09:41 PM3 mins to read

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A magical Christmas Day at Rotorua Hospital saw the birth of four babies.

As the clock was about to strike 5am, with Santa returning up the chimney with his festive sack, a special present had been delivered at the local hospital's birthing unit.

The first baby born on Christmas Day has yet to be named with the proud parents still juggling a few ideas. He was born at 4.51am on Sunday, weighing 7lb 01oz.

His parents, Hayley​ and Luke​ Westbury, said their baby boy was an unplanned "surprise present", which came at a hectic time of year with the pair moving back to Taupo from Perth, Australia just six weeks ago.

They were delighted with the arrival of their second child, if not slightly surprised by his timing.

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The baby's due date was originally New Year's Day, with Mrs Westbury's planned caesarean pushed forward recently to December 28.

Proud parents Hayley​ and Luke​ Westbury celebrate the birth of their second son who was born at 4.51am on Christmas Day. PHOTO/ BEN FRASER
Proud parents Hayley​ and Luke​ Westbury celebrate the birth of their second son who was born at 4.51am on Christmas Day. PHOTO/ BEN FRASER

But the pair arrived at the hospital in the early hours of Christmas day morning after their bundle of joy decided to come early.

"It's really cool he was the first born in Rotorua and he's doing really well," Mrs Westbury said. "We did have all Christmas planned out but that all went out the window when he decided to come early.

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"He was a bit of an oops as he wasn't planned. If he had been planned, I wouldn't have planned to have him this time of year that's for sure but it's all good.

"Hopefully he doesn't mind the idea of combined birthday and Christmas presents from now on."

She said she had a good pregnancy: "Everything went really smoothly and the birth went very well. I'm really happy because he is a very healthy, happy baby."

It was a long Christmas day for the family, especially for Mr Westbury who travelled back to Taupo to spend time with their other son, 18-month-old Jake.

Mr Westbury said the family hadn't opened the majority of their presents as they would have their own special Christmas in a couple of days time.

"We didn't really have a Christmas," he said. "It was like any other day - apart from the fact we brought a beautiful boy into the world. It was a very long day and I made sure to go back and spend some time with Jake. He got to open some presents. We have kept most of them unopened so we can have our own Christmas in the next few days."

The Rotorua Hospital Birthing Unit celebrated the arrival of the ward's first baby on Christmas Day by giving gifts to the Westbury family including a brand new jumpsuit for their baby, and a little knitted Santa hat and shirt.

"The hospital have made it very special for us, the presents that they gave are so lovely, said Mrs Westbury. "I wasn't expecting it at all and I'll certainly want to be starting a scrapbook for this special Christmas baby."

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