Fabella Hospital has no New Year babies

MANILA, Philippines — There were no New Year babies born around the stroke of midnight at Fabella Hospital in Manila yesterday.

The hospital, known as the country’s “baby factory” for the large number of babies born there every day, had a record low 26 deliveries from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31.

“We have at least 70 to 80 deliveries every day, which is quite normal. But for this year the number is comparatively low,” Dr. Antoinette Pacapac, Fabella Hospital media relations officer, said.

Of the 26 babies delivered on New Year’s Eve, 16 were girls and 10 were boys, 11 of whom were through caesarian section (C-section).

A baby girl, Zairah, was born to Leni Bonto, 31, at 1:05 a.m. yesterday.

Bonto, a resident of Quezon City, said Zairah is her third child and her husband has no regular job.

She said she opted to deliver her baby at Fabella Hospital “because mother and baby are taken good care of and the staff are friendly.”

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, only seven boys and 12 girls were born at the hospital and five of them were through C-section. 

But at least 12 more mothers were waiting at the labor room and hospital staff said they are eager to assist “the coming of new life at the start of the year.”