Eid babies delight new parents in Abu Dhabi

Births on the stroke of midnight bring joy to hospital staff on Eid Al Adha

Born to Filipino parents Jenalyn Briones, 34, and Joven Bautista, 37, baby Jenzo gave Burjeel Hospital something special to celebrate in the early hours of Eid Al Adha. Courtesy: Burjeel 

Parents welcomed the first babies born on Eid Al Adha in Abu Dhabi with Jenzo Bautista one of the first new arrivals at Burjeel Hospital.

Doctors said mother and son were doing well after the birth just minutes after midnight on Friday morning.

Born to Filipino parents Jenalyn Briones, 34, and Joven Bautista, 37, the youngster gave the hospital something special to celebrate in the early hours of the holiday.

Mr Bautista said he was relieved his wife came through the pregnancy without complication in what has been a worrying time.

“We are blessed to have our baby come into this world on the first day of Eid Al Adha,” said Mr Bautista.

“A pandemic with consequent restrictions has dampened the spirit of this festive season.

“But the birth of our child brings us so much joy and hope. We will cherish this moment forever in our lifetime.”

The official time of baby Jenzo’s birth was registered at 12.01am, and was officially the first child born on the Festival of the Sacrifice at the hospital, a unit of VPS Healthcare.

“Babies born on a significant day bring added joy to our hearts, and give more reason for the family to celebrate,” said Dr Fady Georges Hachem, a consultant in obstetrics and gynecology at Burjeel Hospital.

“We are glad that the delivery went smoothly and the mother and child are in good health.”

Over at NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi’s oldest maternity hospital, midwives were also working hard in the early hours of Friday.

Young Serbian couple, Petar and Aleksandra Vidanovic welcomed their first child, Andrea, at 2.50am, the first born at the hospital on Eid Al Adha.

“I am very happy that my wife has delivered especially today, even though Eid is not a traditional holiday in Serbia, now I will always celebrate it no matter what”, said Petar Vidanovic, who works as cabin crew for Etihad Airlines.

The family of the newborn had been anxious throughout the last trimester owing to the pandemic but were relieved and delighted to have delivered safely.

But family celebrations were cut short as no visits were allowed from relatives due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

“The last couple of days have been a little uncomfortable and I’m very happy my baby is born healthy,” said Aleksandra, who is a restaurant manager.

“My only regret is, due to the pandemic my family couldn’t come, but the hospital staff made it really warm and congenial for me.”

Elsewhere in the same hospital, two Emirati families were expecting their new arrivals later in the day.

"We had additional responsibility to not only deliver the baby safely but also undertake mandatory precautions and care owing the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Dr Shubha Shankari, a hospital obstetrician.

“Petar and Aleksandra were always planning to have their delivery in Abu Dhabi, and they have been visiting us since October 2019.

“After almost 35 hours of labour, we are very happy that both mother and baby are in good health.

“The new life as much as the lives of the new parents are precious to us and we laboured to ensure just that following the global best practices.

"Eid babies are very special to the families and the hospital staff alike and we are very happy to be part of this happiness journey."