The first baby born at St. Therese’s Hospital in 2011 arrived on Jan. 2 at 7:42 p.m. and became not only the area’s New Year’s baby but also the first child for proud parents Kaitlin Jackson and John Delver of Goodfish Lake.
“It feels great,” Jackson said about holding her first child in her arms.
“Words just can’t describe it,” added a proud Delver.
The healthy baby, delivered by Dr. Akindele, was named Dashielle Melvin Wallace Delver and weighed in at just over 10 lbs.
“That’s the biggest baby born in my family,” said Delver.
Jackson began feeling labour pains on Jan. 1 but she wanted to wait until her contractions were regular before making the 45-minute drive from Goodfish into St. Paul. She said that she had trouble sleeping that night and the next day when the pains grew stronger, she made the trip to town, accompanied by her parents and Delver.
Her mother, Lorna Jackson, said another woman arrived with labour pains a few hours after her daughter, “so there was a bit of a race,” but the mother was unaware and focused only on delivering a healthy baby. After the baby was born, hospital staff informed her that he was the first baby born at the hospital in 2011.
“My boy is going to be famous for a few days,” said Delver.
Dashielle’s parents were pleasantly surprised to receive several generous gifts donated by businesses in the area for the first newborn of 2011.
“It is very much appreciated; it’s a big help,” Delver said, before packing all of the gifts into the car for the return trip back to Goodfish Lake following the mother and baby’s release from the hospital on Jan. 5.
