Mater Mothers welcomes 12000th baby in time for Christmas

For Mackay parents Te Rina and Jayden Korn the birth of their little boy was always going to be an exciting time.

The occasion was made extra special as they welcomed Mater Mothers’ 12 000th baby for the year, just in time for Christmas. 

Born via caesarean section at 7.26am on Tuesday 21 December, Riley weighed 3.58kg.

Mrs Korn, 29, said she and her husband were already so in love with their new bundle of joy.

“We are so overwhelmed by the love we have for baby Riley. He is the most perfect Christmas gift,” Mrs Korn said.

“His three-year-old big sister Amelia is also very excited about his arrival. For weeks she was telling everyone how she was getting a baby brother for Christmas.”

Mater Mothers’ hospitals welcome thousands of babies into the world every year, and although each birth is special, the birth of baby Riley was made just that little bit extra special being the 12 000th baby born for the year.

Acting Maternity Nurse Unit Manager Lauren Dennis said it was a special time for Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay and the Korn family.

“It is always a privilege to share the first moments of a newborn’s life with their family and we are delighted to have welcomed baby Riley, the 12 000th baby for 2021, into the world just in time for Christmas,” Ms Dennis said.

“I suspect it will be an extra special Christmas for the Korn family this year.”

Mater Director of Mothers, Babies and Women’s Health, Dr Mike Beckmann, said it’s a privilege for Mater Mothers to share in thousands of beautiful newborn moments across Queensland every day.

“As Australia’s largest maternity service provider, we are proud to welcome more than 30 babies into our care each day, with one in five Queensland babies born at a Mater hospital,” Dr Beckmann said.

Mrs Korn said she was grateful for the care that she received at Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay.

“The nurses were amazing. I felt so well supported,” she said.

“Thank you to everyone at Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay for taking such great care of us and safely bringing Riley into the world. We are so thankful.”

The new family of four will celebrate an intimate family gathering at home on Christmas Day.