By Cecilia Nasmith

Cobourg

Northumberland Hills Hospital welcomed its first baby of the new year Jan. 1 at 7:40 p.m. - a little boy named Kane, born to Samantha and Dave Parks of Bowmanville.

The 8-lb.-7-oz. boy was born at 7:40 p.m., a first child for the couple.

“We're so excited and grateful to be Kane's parents,” Samantha said in the announcement, thanking her midwife Paige for making them feel comfortable as first-time parents going through the birthing process.

“Everyone has gone above and beyond to make this experience so special for us,” her husband added.

“We will never forget the attentiveness, care and kindness that has been shown to our family.”

As per NHH tradition for the first New Year baby, Kane will go home with a gift basket prepared and donated by staff and volunteers. Maternal/Child Care nurses took the initiative to hand-pick items they felt new parents would appreciate and enjoy with support from NHH and both its Auxiliary and Foundation.

In the last fiscal year, the Maternal/Child Care team at NHH welcomed 532 births, thanks to a strong partnership with local obstetrician-gynecologists, family physicians, anesthesiologists and area midwifery groups.

Designed with an eye to the unique needs of newborns, their mothers and family members, the unit is equipped with six labour and delivery beds (each in its own private suite), a Caesarean-section operating room, and advanced fetal and patient monitoring.

If you are expecting a baby in 2025, you can view details of these services (including a listing of area obstetrical-care providers) at https://nhh.ca/Patients/PatientCareServices/AcuteCare/MaternalChildCare