ISKANDAR PUTERI: Ten couples celebrated the start of the year with a precious new addition to their families — their New Year's Day babies.
Columbia Asia Hospital-Iskandar Puteri's obstetrics consultants delivered six boys and four girls between 3.03am and 7.42pm on Jan 1.
Banker Nur Fatin Adam, 33, and her husband, Muhammad Nazirul Md Yusof, 33, an assistant manager, received their bundle of joy — a healthy boy at 3.03am.
The couple said they planned for a January baby, but never expected to had delivered on New Year's Day.
"Now we get to celebrate two special occasions on the same day every year," Nur Fatin said.
First-time parents Teo Shi Han, 26, and Tan Choon Guan, 37, were overjoyed by the arrival of their 2.81kg baby boy at 2.17pm.
Both parents said that having their first child on the first day of the year made it an extra special occasion.
Another first-time parents Siti Nur Shahila Shamsuddin, 28, and her husband chef, Burhan Hakeem Abdullah, welcomed their baby girl, several hours later.
Teacher Kirthana Govindan, 29, and her 31-year-old technician husband Karthigesan Raman's baby girl, was the 10th delivery performed by the hospital's consultants on New Year's Day.
Columbia Asia Hospital Iskandar Puteri chief executive officer Dr Ding Eng Li said that while the hospital was thrilled to celebrate the newborns with their families, its priority was to ensure the safe delivery of the newborns and the wellbeing of their mothers.