Baby Ericka is first PH baby of 2020

PRICELESS Baby Ericka Escopete appears to be yawning at the world in a tender moment with her mother. –MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

The world welcomed Ericka Escopete, a bouncing baby girl who was born at the strike of midnight well into New Year’s Day at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital. The baby, who weighs 2.9 kilograms, was born to Rosel Escopete.

The 20-year-old mother of two said that she did not expect to deliver her baby at exactly 12 midnight.

Escopete said her due date was Dec. 29, but her water broke on Dec. 31 at around 9 p.m. Her husband, Roderick, rushed her to the hospital.

After about an hour of pacing at the hospital, Escopete almost went home to Manila North Cemetery because she was not fully dilated. As she was about to leave, her contractions became more intense.

She was ready to give birth.

“I was not thinking about being the first mother to deliver her baby on New Year. I just wanted to give birth for my child,” she told the Inquirer in an interview.

Escopete recalled that the hospital staff were cheering when she delivered her baby, but she could barely smile because of the pain.

Baby Ericka was among the 20 babies who were born on Jan. 1, between 12 midnight and 5 am., at the maternal and newborn hospital in Manila, according to hospital midwife Maribel Marcelino.

Kaye Nicole Rodriguez, 18, gave birth to baby Ziasia at 12:05 a.m. The baby weighs 2.6 kg.Cavite resident Rose Marie Manlayas gave birth to baby boy Jembie, who weighs 2.57 kg, at 12:46 a.m.

“We did not think we would make it at around 12,” said Manlayas.