Port Shepstone Regional Hospital congratulated the parents of the 10 babies born on Christmas Day and 12 babies born on New Year’s Day – 13 girls, eight boys and one ambiguous baby (in this case an infant’s external genitals is not clearly defined as either male or female).

The hospital’s, PRO Phumza Morai said the health facility wished the babies families to be surrounded by love and joy, and also handed them gifts.

“Eight babies were delivered via Caesarean section and 14 babies were delivered normally. On Christmas day, the first baby was delivered by Dr Khayalethu Manona at 04:28 and the last at 20:40.

“On January 1, the first baby was delivered by nurse, Zinhle Mvelase at 03:38 and the last baby was delivered at 22:58. Blondi Nxumalo from Manzamhlophe-Izingolweni delivered twin girls. All the babies weighed above 2.5kg,” said Morai.

She said the mothers were educated on cord care, exclusive breastfeeding and on the steps to take when registering their babies with the Department of Home Affairs.

Assistant nursing manager, Matron Zithobile Ngxumza advised to plan a pregnancy. “After my interaction with the mothers, the majority of them are unemployed, teenagers and unmarried. She added that unemployment brings on a lot of stress to mothers, which can make them have less love for their babies.

“I would also like to advise the public, especially women to go for preconception counselling where they would be screened and monitored for any diseases, for example diabetes and hypertension. This would help in avoiding premature deliveries,” Matron Ngxumza said.

She also advised women to maintain a healthy lifestyle so they can conceive healthy.
Ngxumza concluded by encouraging all those who need preconception counselling to visit their nearest health care centres.

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