Kempsey District Hospital welcomed its first baby of the new decade within the first hour of 2020, giving extra meaning to the new year celebrations.
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Charles Anthony Hollis (Charlie) was born at 12.51am on Wednesday January 1 via a water birth to proud first-time parents Emma and Keith Hollis from Euroka.
Weighing 3.3 kilograms and measuring 52cm long, Charlie is a grandson for Di Gamack and Anthony and Lee Rutledge.
"We cannot give enough praise to the incredible maternity staff - what a wonderful group of people to share our journey with," Emma said.
"We were so fortunate to have attended antenatal classes run by a fantastic midwife who was invaluable in her knowledge and experience around every aspect of bringing a new life into the world.
"This was topped off by her absolute love and joy for her profession."
Clinical Midwifery Educator Broni Brenton said the hospital's maternity unit would undergo some improvements in 2020 with construction of a new birthing unit including a free-standing birthing pool.
'We are finding more women are wanting to use water immersion during labour and birth and it's great that we have the ability to cater for this here at Kempsey," she said.
"Our redeveloped birthing units will make this easier for our women of the Macleay."
Antenatal classes are offered to all pregnant women and families in the Macleay and provide valuable information about pregnancy, labour, birth and caring for a baby.
"They are a great way for families to learn about the journey they are undertaking with pregnancy, birth and beyond, while at the same time building support networks with other families of the District," Broni said.
