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THE maternity unit at Andrews Memorial Hospital Limited (AMH) began 2026 on a note of praise as they welcomed their first baby of the year, Selah Capri Fransiva Campbell, born on New Year’s Day to proud parents Dominique and Carcell Campbell. Weighing six pounds and 14 ounces, Selah arrived safely under the care of obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Shari Griffith Anderson. Staff said the moment felt fitting for a child whose name is associated with praise. “At first, we thought she might be a New Year’s Eve baby,” Dr Griffith Anderson is quoted in a release from the hospital. “The parents were convinced she would be born on New Year’s Day, and they were right. She delivered the following day, on New Year’s Day. It was an extra special delivery. She was the only baby on the ward, and they had the ward to themselves. It was a safe, fantastic delivery of a beautiful baby girl.” For Carcell, the arrival of his daughter was more than a date on the calendar. It was the fulfilment of a journey — from anticipation to answered prayer. “From conception to birth, she is just pure greatness and joy,” he said. Dominique smiled as she recounted how Selah’s full name came together, shaped by family, affection, and the determination of big sister Zhuri-Magnus. “I was born right here at Andrews and so was Zhuri-Magnus, who came up with the name Capri,” Dominique said. “It was non-negotiable. We could not tell her ‘No’. Capri was happening.” Carcell said he wanted another name that carried meaning and identity, consistent with Zhuri. “Zhuri is an African name,” he explained. “I was looking for something that would pair well with Capri. We came across Sihle, which also means ‘beautiful’, but Selah kept coming up naturally every time we said her name. When we researched it, we learned that Selah is connected to praise, ‘amen’, and the idea of pausing and reflecting in the Bible, and that made it even more fitting.” While the delivery was significant for the family, it also reflected the daily commitment of the maternity team. AMH’s Registered Midwife Kimberley Lewis, who assisted with the delivery, credited the mother’s calm focus and cooperation as key factors in creating a smooth experience. “To be honest, she was easy to care for,” Lewis said. “She listened, she cooperated, and she had the right mindset — that made the process even easier.” Selah was born at 11:47 am on January 1, 2026, a time that will be remembered by staff who say the first birth of the year carries its own kind of meaning, both personal and professional. Kerr, who gave Selah her first bath, described the baby as calm and unusually cooperative for a new arrival. “Baby Selah was excellent,” Kerr said. “Lovely, no fuss. She remained relaxed and calm throughout the process. As nurses, every baby is special, and we hold each one dear, but when a baby is born on the first day of the year, it is even more special. We always remember that first baby.” Dominique confessed that the experience matched what she hoped for when she chose AMH for her delivery. “From the moment I came here, it was pleasant,” she said. “Everybody was attentive. They were awesome. During the delivery, when I felt like giving up, Miss Lewis encouraged me, telling me, ‘Last lap, push.’ About 10 minutes later, the baby came. It was a good experience. I really love it here.” Last year, the hospital welcomed two New Year’s Day babies. This year, Nurse Daviea Lindo, supervisor of the Maternity Unit at AMH, said: “While our delivery suite welcomes an average of 700 babies each year, Selah’s arrival reminds us that hospitals are not only places of treatment but also spaces where families begin, inspiring renewed hope and gratitude for life.” AMH’s Maternity Unit provides prenatal, intranatal, and postnatal care, supported by a midwife-supervised ward, a modern delivery suite for natural and Caesarean births, and dedicated nursery care. [caption id="attachment_13512" align="alignnone" width="157"] Dominique Campbell admires the basket she received from Andrews Memorial Hospital and reads her gift card ahead of discharge on January 2, 2026.[/caption] The original article was published at jamaicaobserver.com.