Christchurch Women’s Hospital is celebrating its 20th birthday – as is the first baby born there back in 2005.
Holly Williams was born just one hour after the new hospital opened its doors, weighing 3.6 kilograms.
Her father Colin, with newborn Holly in his arms, told 1News at the time, “It’s a lot to take in”.
Today, the pair laughed together as they looked back on the photos from March 30, 2005.
“You’ve got hair now and I haven’t. It was a great day. I was very proud,” Colin told his daughter.
When asked what it means to be the first born at the new building, Holly said it was “pretty cool, like part of the city’s history”.
“It’s a fun little fact. People find it a funny little thing.”
Since her birth, approximately 105,792 babies have been delivered there – made up of 54,546 boys and 51,188 girls. Of that number, 1773 were twins, 23 were triplets, and one set of quadruplets.
Neonatal nurse manager Debbie O’Donoghue worked at the old hospital for seven years before the new one was built.
“We have amazing outcomes but it’s also supporting families through some difficult long journeys,” she said.
The original Christchurch Women’s Hospital opened on Colombo St in 1952, and it hasn’t been forgotten in the new building.
There’s a collection of memorabilia, from antiquated medical equipment to pieces of brick work from the original building.
“I feel a bit like a museum piece as well,” O’Donoghue joked.
A lot has changed since the move, including the development of a Tertiary Care Unit, professor of obstetrics and foetal medicine Pippa Kyle said.
“We could do bigger procedures such as an intrauterine transfusion for a baby – we’re going to be doing one this afternoon.”
The demands on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are a lot higher now, O’Donoghue said.
“It was very different. We had less babies than we do now. We averaged 30, 35 at most… now we’re 50, 55 – over 60 at times.”
Kyle added that it’s been “a privilege” and “a pleasure”.
“There’s some lovely aspects that one feels you’re really offering something to life.”
Past and present hospital staff will be having an afternoon tea to celebrate the milestone.
