Happy New Year: Peterson Songa becomes Tasmania’s first baby for 2021

Esther Songa thought her baby boy’s due date was Christmas Day – but it turned out he was due on January 1, arriving right on time as Tassie’s first newborn for 2021. MEET THE FAMILY >>

• Miracle Maci has first Christmas in nurses’ care
• Tassie’s post-COVID baby boom

ESTHER Songa thought her baby boy’s due date was Christmas Day but it turned out he was due on January 1, arriving right on time as Tassie’s first newborn for 2021.

“I was expecting a Christmas baby and he turned out to be a New Year’s baby,” she said.

Esther and Peter Songa and their daughter Petra welcomed baby Peterson at 2.42am at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

“It’s going to be a good year,” Mrs Songa said.

Baby Peterson with parents Peter and Esther Songa with big sister Petra 2. Baby Peterson was born on New Year's Day at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“Even though 2020 was horrible for everyone at least something, or someone, came out of it at the other end.

“I wanted my pregnancy to be over so I was not making any New Year’s plans anyway.”

Mrs Songa said 2020 held very little to celebrate, but this year she looked forward to getting to know her “extra special” baby boy and graduating from her Applied Health and Community Care degree.

Peter Songa said starting the New Year with a new born was “extraordinary”.

“Everyone was waiting for New Year’s but we were waiting for someone special,” he said.

Mrs Songa was so relaxed and distracted by her “amazing nurse” she went against plans, giving birth without an epidural.

“The doctors said they haven’t had anyone in a long time giving birth with no pain medications so that made it extraordinary,” Peter Songa said.

Baby Peterson with parents Peter and Esther Songa. Baby Peterson was born on New Year's Day at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“She’s extraordinary and he’s extraordinary.”

Mr and Mrs Songa said the level of care from Hobart staff was unlike anywhere in the world, with one of Peter’s relatives considering travelling from interstate to give birth in Tasmania.