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When Jennifer McWilliams (19) did a run before Christmas on Holles Street, she initially thought she was having contractions, given that she was almost 37 weeks pregnant.
but nothing could have prepared her for the news that reached her from her doctors; had tested positive for Covid-19.
She would go on to have Ireland’s first baby of 2021 in what has been described as “ironic” by the National Maternity Hospital teacher Professor Shane Higgins, given the current pandemic.
The Sallynoggin student wasn’t going to have her first baby with partner Eric Brown until January 13, but both her mother and little Brody, who weighed in at 7 lbs 10 oz, are thriving.
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Vanessa and Garry McLaughlin of Meath welcomed baby girl Kady to Coombe Hospital
She told independent.ie that she was completely asymptomatic when she first entered the hospital, but was losing her sense of taste. He received his positive Covid diagnosis on December 22.
“I came to the hospital thinking that I was having contractions and they told me they would do a blood test and also a test for Covid-19 to rule it out and it came back positive,” he said.
“It was a shock as everyone in my circle of close contacts has come back negative except me, so I have no idea where it came from. I’ve been very careful, especially being pregnant.
“My main concern was for the baby, but after talking to the midwives and nurses, they said that anyone they saw having Covid would not pass it on to the baby. So it was a relief to hear that. They tested it this morning, but we still haven’t gotten the results, so our fingers crossed. “
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Brody McWilliams Brown was born to mother Jennifer McWilliams at the National Maternity Hospital at four seconds past midnight, making him the first baby born in Ireland in 2021.
Since he was also diagnosed with pre-eclampsia after a urine sample was taken, doctors decided to induce it on December 31 as a precaution.
He said he “had no idea” that he would receive the country’s first New Year’s Day baby and said having him after being diagnosed with Covid was “insane.”
The hospital said all proper protocols were followed to ensure Jennifer’s safe care and the delivery of her baby Brody.
“We weren’t quite sure when it would arrive, but in a minute we checked it and I was only 2 cm dilated and an hour later it was 10 cm and we were pushing, so it was fast,” he added.
“Actually, I didn’t think I was going to be the first. Holles Street was very busy last night, so I really wasn’t expecting it. “
National Maternity Hospital teacher Professor Shane Higgins said it was “ironic” that the first baby born in 2021 was to a Covid positive mother and encouraged all his patients to remain vigilant.
Meanwhile, Co Cork registered its first 2021 birth one minute after midnight. A baby was born to parents Karen and Michael Foley.
The first New Years birth to be registered at Coombe Hospital was with a girl who arrived at 12:24 a.m. M.
The newcomer, named Kady, was born to delighted parents, Vanessa and Garry McLaughlin of Co Meath.
It will be a busy time in your home, since baby Ava was born in the same hospital 19 months ago.
The first New Year’s birth registered at the Rotunda Hospital occurred at 12:31 a.m. M.
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