By: Elizabeth Guka – EMTV News Cadet Journalist, Port Moresby
Among the celebrations of Christmas throughout the Country yesterday, there were also celebrations of babies who were born on the special day. The Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby saw the birth of Lisle Debrouwere, the only baby born early yesterday morning at the hospital. Born at 4:35am with a weight of 3.1kg, this baby boy was safely delivered by experienced midwives who ensured the safe delivery of the first born son of Georgia Fox and Michael Debrouwere.
The significance of the name of the baby, Lisle, means ‘of the island’. First-time mother, Georgia, did not expect her son to be born on Christmas Day.
“I’m overwhelmed. “I was hoping that the baby would come before or after Christmas, but instead I had a Christmas baby,” said the new mother.
The parents of the baby are of mixed-race parentage. Michael is from Canada and Kairiku in the Central Province, and Georgia, is of English decent and Tatana, which is also in the Central province.
Lisle’s father, Michael, expressed his excitement about the birth of his son.
“I’m really happy that the baby has come out safe and sound with no problems. He is nice and healthy,” said the father.
Georgia was admitted on Monday afternoon, and safely gave birth to Lisle without major complications.
The midwife, who delivered the baby early yesterday morning, was not in at the time of the interview, however, senior midwife, Kila Wala Tamate, who helped to nurse the baby, described that there were minor complications with the baby before the birth.
“The baby had a bit of complication while still in the mother’s womb. “ At birth, the midwife said that the umbilical cord was around the neck of the baby, but since the midwife was an expert, she attended to it, then the baby resuscitated and was stable after a few minutes,” Tamate said.
Senior midwife Tamate added that the smooth delivery of the baby, was mostly due to the cooperation and responsiveness of the mother.
“She did very well. “It was straightforward, we did not have much difficulty like other first-time mothers. “This is because I actually coached her when she came to the ward, I did my part as a midwife to coach the first-time mother, of what to expect and how to cope,” Tamate added.
With the birth of Lisle, his parents, Georgia and Michael, have decided to move to Mount Hagen to start their life together as a new family.
“Georgia is in Port Moresby at the moment, and I live in Mount Hagen. “ So we will both be heading back to Hagen in two weeks’ time, to settle down,” said Michael.
