THERE was no rest for the midwives at East Grampians Health Service over the Christmas-New Year period.
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First, little Jacob Batobalani wanted to join in the Christmas fun by arriving three weeks early.
Jacob was the first baby to be born on Christmas Day in Ararat for 20 years, and it sparked a baby boom at the hospital.
Six babies were delivered from December 25 to January 4, making it a busy time for midwives.
Baby Jacob was due on January 19. Mother Juliet Batobalani described his birth as a “nice surprise” for herself, husband Andrei and their other chidren, four year old Tyler and Izabelle (nearly 2).
New Year’s Day saw the arrival of Amelia Preston and Avla Jessop , while Angus Harman and Indra Walker were both born on January 2. Amelia was the first Ararat baby to be born in 2016, arriving at 11:52am and Avla came into the world at 8pm.
Stawell’s Annie Leithhead was the last mother to give birth during the holiday rush, delivering baby Tommy on January 4.