Hiwa-i-te-Rangi Broughton, whose name means “wishing star” has become the first baby born at Queensland’s newest hospital, receiving what her family described as “star treatment” after arriving at Mater Hospital Springfield.
Baby Hiwa-i-te-Rangi was born at 11am last Wednesday, just three hours after her parents, Miriama and Remedi Broughton, arrived at the hospital’s maternity unit.
Ms Broughton, who was 38 weeks pregnant, said labour began suddenly early that morning.
“The contractions woke me up and I knew straight away that my baby was coming,” she said.
The Spring Mountain couple, who live only minutes from the new hospital in Health Care Drive, Springfield Central, were admitted shortly after arrival to one of the facility’s six birthing suites.
Ms Broughton said there was a palpable sense of excitement among staff as they prepared for the hospital’s first delivery.
“Everyone seemed excited to be having the first birth in the hospital,” she said.
“We felt we were in very safe hands. We were pushing for an hour and a half and then our little girl was here. She’s just perfect and we are honoured that she is the hospital’s first baby.”
Hiwa-i-te-Rangi weighed 8lb 5oz (3.77kg) at birth and has already been welcomed by her big sister, Te Waimaringi, aged two.
The family was showered with flowers and gifts to mark the milestone, including a complimentary membership to the Brisbane Lions.
An estimated 1700 babies are expected to be born each year at the new maternity unit, which includes six birthing suites, 16 inpatient rooms and a 16-cot Neonatal Critical Care Unit.
The hospital has been delivered through a $1 billion partnership between the Queensland Government and Mater.
Mater Hospital Springfield General Manager Suzanne Hawksley said staff were proud to welcome the first baby born at the facility.
“She is just the first of many thousands of babies who will be born here,” Ms Hawksley said.
