It may have taken nearly two weeks, but Westlock finally has its New Year’s baby.
Benjamin David Stewart was born at 9:34 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the Westlock Healthcare Centre.
The eight pound, 12 ounce baby boy took nearly 12 hours to deliver and is Brandi Uchytil and Thomas Stewart’s first child.
Benjamin, who was originally due on Jan. 16, woke Uchytil early on Jan. 12.
“I woke up at 6 a.m. and was like, ‘I think I’m having contractions,’” she said.
“I started timing them and they were five minutes apart.”
Uchytil, who lives in Athabasca, waited several hours before calling the health centre in Westlock. Maternity staff advised her to make the trip south.
Although Athabasca has a hospital, the facility isn’t equipped to handle births.
“I wasn’t too nervous. I knew we’d make it because my contractions weren’t that strong.”
Uchytil and Stewart arrived at the hospital around 10 a.m.
While the child’s first name was chosen “at random,” Benjamin’s middle name has a special significance for the couple.
“It’s after the father’s dad,” Uchytil said.
Thomas, beaming, added how proud he was of his new family.
“[We’re] happy to have such a healthy and beautiful baby,” Stewart said.
