Heartfelt name for Tassie’s first baby of 2024

It’s the story of the cycle of life in the birth of Tasmania’s first baby in 2024, with the little girl a namesake for a treasured family member.

Crystal Tatnell and Liam Wakefield with Rani Vera Wakefield at Royal Hobart Hospital. Picture: Chris Kidd

The first Tasmanian baby born in 2024 is finally ready to meet the world after some brief New Year’s Day hiccups.

Dulcot mother Crystal Tatnell and father Liam Wakefield began their New Year’s birth on New Year’s Eve, when Crystal was admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital in labour.

Despite some issues with both labour, an emergency operation and battling bub’s decreasing heart rate, midwives and nurses in Hobart helped to welcome little Rani Vera Wakefield at 10am on New Year’s Day, weighing just 2.61kg and the first of two babies born in the state on the day.

Rani Vera Wakefield at Royal Hobart Hospital. Picture: Chris Kidd

“It was a really hard labour, but it’s so worth it – she’s absolutely perfect and all the nurses did such a good job in keeping me calm and supporting me,” Ms Tatnell said.

“It’s just that much better now that Mum and bub are healthy,” Mr Wakefield said.

Rani’s name was much debate for her doting parents, but some tragic circumstances made decisions more heartfelt.

Crystal Tatnell and Liam Wakefield with Rani Vera Wakefield at Royal Hobart Hospital. Picture: Chris Kidd

“My Nan had passed the morning that I gave birth to Rani, so when I came out of theatre, we had already decided on Rani Vera – Vera after my Nan’s name,” Ms Tatnell said.

“I got a call from my Mum shortly after saying ‘I’m so sorry, Nan passed away this morning’. I feel like it was quite bittersweet, but I felt like my Nan almost passed and gave way for our beautiful girl.”

Desperately wanting a girl for their first child, both Mum and Dad spent a while debating names – Mum preferring unisex, uncommon names and Dad preferring more old-school – before agreeing on Rani only shortly before the birth.

Originally published as Heartfelt name for Tassie’s first baby of 2024