Welcome little one: Meet Mackay’s first baby for 2021

Born at 2.30pm on January 1, the gorgeous little tot was two weeks ahead of her due date.

Meet little Ahrabella Aldave - she is the first baby born in Mackay for 2021.

The gorgeous tot arrived, after just one push, two weeks early on January 1, weighing just under three kilograms.

Proud parents Jorben and Lenora Aldave and big sister Ahxeia, eight, will take their precious bundle home on Saturday.

The South Mackay couple said Ahrabella's due date was January 14, two days after what would be Mrs Aldave's 32nd birthday, but little bundle of joy could not wait.

 

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Contractions began about 2am on January 1 and 12 hours later she was born.

Mrs Aldave said by 5am the contractions had gotten worse and by 7.30am she had woken her husband and soon after they went to Mackay Base Hospital.

Mr Aldave said by about 10am his wife was only one centimetre dilated, so they decided to get something to eat.

"Of course it's January 1 so everything is closed," he said.

They initially drove to KFC but detoured to McDonald's because the line was too long.

During the short time Mrs Aldave was in the car while her husband ducked inside, her contractions became even worse.

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"I was shouting in the car," she said.

They returned to hospital where Mrs Aldave learned she was now eight centimetres dilated.

Mr Aldave said they had been told to expect about one centimetre dilation every two hours and thought Ahrabella would be born about "midnight or early in the morning".

But Mrs Aldave laughed she had been standing by her hospital bed when she was told the baby was on its way.

"(She) just popped out," Mrs Aldave said.

"So quick."

Ahrabella was born at 2.30pm on Friday, and now new big sister Ahxeia cannot wait to get her home.

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The coupled laughed when they heard about the friendly competition between Mackay Base Hospital and the Mater Hospital for the first baby born each year.

Two other mothers gave birth on January 1 - both to baby girls. The second arrived at 4.24pm, followed by the third at 11.33pm.

The newly expanded family, originally from the Philippines, has lived in Mackay for three years.

Mr Aldave, a diesel fitter, said he planned to take about a month off to spend time with his family.

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