(Left to right) M. Vitiyah, Chin Hooi Peng, San San Ng and Noor Shazren Ariffin posing with their "Merdeka Babies" at the Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun Ipoh. – Chin Foon Kheng/TheStar
IPOH: As the nation celebrates National Day, new arrivals brought much happiness to many couples here as eight girls and two boys were born on National Day as of 4.30pm at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital.
The earliest Merdeka baby born was at 12.13am to 31-year-old San San Ng.
The baby girl weighing 2.9kg came into the world shortly after midnight through normal delivery. She was initially due on Aug 24.
Ng, a school canteen operator, said she was very happy to give birth to her second child on such a special day.
“I started having labour pains at 10pm on Friday (Aug 30), and about two hours later my little princess was born.
"We have named her Queency Pong, ” she said.
Young mother Noor Shazren Ariffin, 20, said she was relieved and happy after giving birth to her first child on National Day.
Her daughter Noor Syasya Helena Mohd Shahfri, weighing 3.3kg, was born at 11.25am.
“Doctors had predicted that my due date would be Sept 6, but I guess my baby could not wait to see the world on this special day.
"My husband and other family members had been praying that the baby would be born on National Day, and their prayers have been answered, ” she added.
Chin Hooi Peng, 27, said her third baby would be sharing the same birthday as her 15-year-old cousin.
Chin, who stays in Cameron Highlands, said her 3.06kg baby girl was supposed to be due on Oct 3.
“However, I started having terrible back pain in the wee hours of the morning and was brought to the hospital here from Cameron Highlands in an ambulance.
"My third child was born at 35 weeks through a normal delivery.
“I really did not expect her to be delivered on National Day. Nevertheless I am very happy and proud, ” said Chin, who works in a hotel in Cameron Highlands.
Housewife M. Vitiyah, 30, delivered her fifth baby weighing 3.65kg at 8.45am.
She said her baby was overdue, as the initial due date was expected to be Aug 21.
“I started having labour pains, and had to be brought to the hospital here from Kuala Kangsar.
"I was admitted in the hospital for two days, before delivering my baby girl on National Day, ” Vitiyah said, adding that she was happy her daughter would be celebrating her birthday every year on a special day.
Meanwhile, the hospital’s board of visitors chairman Omar Tarmizi Ahmad Shaibi said the board had prepared plaques, as well as cash, for the mothers, clothes for the newborns.
The items were presented by State Health Committee chairman A. Sivanesan.
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