Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan – A total of 19 babies were born nationwide yesterday, making the first day of Hari Raya celebrations even more special for their families.

Out of the total Hari Raya newborns, 13 were delivered at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha (Ripas) hospital, with seven girls and six boys recorded.

According to an on-duty nurse in Ripas, the delivery suite was already busy with women in labor during Ramadhan towards the eve of Syawal.

"Thankfully, we managed to handle the hectic situation and all newborn babies were delivered safely," she said.

Some mothers even requested to be discharged immediately to celebrate the Hari Raya with their

babies and their families.

In Ripas, almost all of the mothers who delivered during the eve of Syawal were released late in the afternoon.

"Normally we would only discharge them from the hospital after 24 or 48 hours at minimal time. We had cases the mothers wanted to be discharged from the hospital a few hours after delivery to join in the Hari Raya celebration with their families," said the Ripas nurse.

"However, it depends on their health and the doctor's decision if they are healthy enough to be released," she said.

Even though she's not a Muslim, Marianne Padernal, 32, said she's happy she had her second child on the first day of Hari Raya.

"I feel honored because I know Hari Raya is a very joyous day for the people here and it makes me happy to have my child delivered on this day," she said.

The Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Kuala Belait recorded four newborns - two girls and two boys - and the Pengiran Muda Mahlfota Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital recorded two baby boys delivered during the first day of Syawal. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times