Their second child, Dannielle initially thought it would be a waste of time because ‘‘I wasn’t even in pain’’.
But in the end she’s glad her husband convinced her to take action.
On examination, the ED staff found Dannielle was already 7cm dilated.
And after just a four hour labour, Amelia Grace Morton was born at 12.17pm Sunday, becoming the first baby born at Deniliquin Hospital in the new year.
‘‘She didn’t want to go to hospital, but I could see her discomfort and know what she’s like,’’ Daniel said.
‘‘So I forced her to come in.’’
Being parents to the first baby of 2022 was unexpected for the pair, but gladly welcomed.
‘‘We have been waiting for a good two weeks, but she chose her timing well,’’ Daniel said.
‘‘We have her to thank for that.’’
As the first baby of the new year, the Mortons have been showered with gifts by Gail McLean — including a beautifully engraved baby mug.
Gail started the tradition more than three decades ago after she felt recognition was lacking when she gave birth to her son Miles McLean on New Year’s Day in 1987.
Amelia is the 34th baby to receive these gifts, which were delivered to the hospital on New Year’s Eve in anticipation of the milestone.
‘‘It is so amazing that Gail has been doing this for so many years, it was very unexpected,’’ Dannielle said.
Amelia Grace, who weighed 4025.5g (8lb 14oz) at birth, is a sister to 20 month-old Matilda, who was expecting to meet her sister for the first time late yesterday after mother and baby were give the green light to go home.
Matilda has been staying with her uncle, and was unable to visit them in the hospital due to visitor restrictions.
Gifted a newborn baby doll for Christmas, Matilda has been honing her big sister skills for the past week in preparation for the big event.
Next to meet Amelia will be her extended family — Dannielle’s parents Andrew Wilson and Michelle Doolan from Mathoura, and Daniel’s parents Robert and Jodie Morton, from Tasmania.
