Baby Darcy is a ‘dream come true’ for ABC radio host

Brisbane breakfast radio presenter Craig Zonca and his wife Jessica Hinchliffe have welcomed new baby Darcy John Zonca to their family at Mater – and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

 

The ABC Radio Brisbane breakfast co-host admitted he shed “plenty of tears” when his second child Darcy was born at Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane on Tuesday, weighing 4.2kg.

 

“I cry all the time, but when Darcy was born there were lots of tears,” he said.

 

Craig said his wife experienced a miscarriage last year, which was a “difficult and very emotional time” for the couple.

 

“Looking down at Darcy just blows me away, just to realise how quickly having a baby can be taken away from you,” he said.

 

“It makes us realise how lucky we are to now have two healthy and happy children.”

 

Craig said the couple chose not to know their baby’s gender before the birth and described their newborn as a “dream come true”.

 

“We didn’t know we were having a girl the first time either, when we had Molly two-and-a-half years ago,” he said.

 

Darcy John was named in honour of both his grandfathers and has a “decent set of lungs” and thick black hair, Craig said.

 

“He’s got the cutest button nose and little chubby cheeks, and the softest baby skin.” 

 

Craig said he and his wife felt more relaxed as second-time parents, after Molly was born during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

“It really has been a different experience. When we had Molly we went into lockdown, and everyone had to wear facemasks,” he said.

 

“There was none of that this time.”

 

Craig thanked the medical teams at Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane, including the Pregnancy Assessment Centre, who supported his family during their pregnancy loss.

 

“Everyone has been so lovely and supportive – it’s been unreal,” he said.

 

The Pregnancy Assessment Centre is a 24-7 service at Mater Mothers’ Hospital that provides assessment and care for women experiencing pregnancy related complications or concerns during any stage of pregnancy, and postnatally.

 

“The level of support and comfort they gave us was incredible, they were so compassionate when Jess had a miscarriage,” he said.

 

“They really helped us get through that particular time – and to have a trouble-free pregnancy this time around is quite amazing.”