Little bouncing bundles of joy arrive with birth of new year

THE STATE’S first baby of 2012 arrived at Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital yesterday a mere 35 seconds after the midnight chimes.

An emergency Caesarean section ushered Amelie Rose Mitchell into the world. First-time parents Caitríona and Neil Mitchell from Churchtown, Dublin, were delighted, especially since labour had begun almost 24 hours earlier.

Yesterday the proud father said matters had been progressing slowly, but when the baby’s heart rate sped up shortly after 11.30pm, the team at the hospital decided an emergency section was required.

An operation was arranged and the baby was delivered quickly, weighing in at a healthy 7lb 5oz.

The couple were “absolutely thrilled” and relieved at Amelie Rose’s safe arrival. “It’s a brilliant, brilliant start to the new year,” they said.

Amelie Rose was one of 30 babies expected to be born at the hospital yesterday. Although she was the first in the State this year, the record for the bounciest new year baby must go to Kyle Kennedy, born to Edel and Jeremy Kennedy from Kilmallock, Co Limerick. The bundle of joy arrived at the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick, weighing 11lb 1oz, just 45 minutes after midnight.

The other new year babies included a baby boy, Reece, who arrived at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital in Dublin at 17 minutes after midnight. Born to Jennifer Dowman from Dublin, the 5lb 5oz baby has five older brothers to go home to.

Over at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Elsie Ann was born to Nikki Mitchell and Ian Tumulty from Dún Laoghaire. Weighing 6lb 9oz, she arrived just 26 minutes into the new year.

In the southwest, Sophie Jane O’Donovan, 6lb 11oz, was born to Louise O’Donovan of Leith West, Tralee, at Kerry General Hospital 38 minutes after midnight.

Anna Finlay, daughter of Maureen and Mark Finlay, Oranmore, Co Galway, was born at University Hospital Galway at 12.41am, weighing 7lb 7 oz.

The first baby in the northwest was born at 12.52am to Agnieszka Kuczewska in Sligo General Hospital. The boy has yet to be given a name.

Grace O’Brien was the first baby of the new year born at Cork University Hospital. She arrived shortly before 3am to parents Deirdre and Andrew O’Brien from Carrigaline and weighed 6lb 8oz.

A boy born at Waterford Regional Hospital arrived two minutes and 16 seconds into the new year, making him the second new year baby. His parents did not want their names publicised.