Parents welcome bundles of joy on New Year’s Day
As the world marked the beginning of a new year, some families celebrated by welcoming little bundles of joy born just hours into 2025.
St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, delivered its first babies of the year in the early hours of Wednesday.
As 10s of thousands lined the South Bank to watch the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display over the Thames, Peckham couple Molly and Harry Cronin were counting down the minutes to meet their daughter.
Winnie-Jo was born in the Home from Home birth centre at St Thomas’ Hospital, just before 6.30am and weighed 7lb 1oz.
She joins three siblings, five year old Isla-Mae, two-year-old Iris-Blu, and Molly-Ann aged one.
Mr and Mrs Cronin were supported by a Guys and St Thomas’ Trust midwife, Anna Gaudion.
Ms Gaudion said: “As a team of midwives on the midwifery led unit at St Thomas’ Hospital we collectively love working here.
“Welcoming a new baby into the world is always a privilege.
“Our rooms look over the River Thames and the Big Ben is our clock.”
Less than two hours earlier, Kings College hospital in Denmark Hill welcomed their first baby of the year.
At 4.45am, Kalina Bogdanova gave birth to her daughter Sienna.
Ms Bogdanova, from South Croydon, said: “Our little baby girl was due January 8, but on New Year’s Eve,my contractions started around early in the morning and before we knew it she decided to surprise us and arrive on New Year’s Day.
“It was the best way to start the new year!”
The first-time mum said she was thankful to have such a positive birth experience.
She said: “We were so pleased that we chose King’s College Hospital to have our first baby here – the whole journey from antenatal care, to the labour and delivery experience have been fantastic.
“The team of doctors and midwives that were taking care of us during labour were fantastic- providing updates and options every step of the way so that we can make informed choices.
“Little baby Sienna joined us just in time to be King’s first baby of 2025 – how lovely is that!”
Pictured top: From left, Anna Gaudion with Molly Cronin holding baby Winnie-Jo, and Harry Cronin on New Years Day (Picture: Guys and St Thomas NHS Trust)