Five Leicestershire families began 2025 with the ultimate New Year celebration, as Leicester’s maternity units welcomed their first babies of the year. A daughter for Amrina Khan and Faiz Baig, born at Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) at 12:30am, led the special arrivals.
Amrina, from Wigston, was admitted to the hospital yesterday (Tuesday, December 31), but hoped her third child might wait for New Year. The 29-year-old and LRI staff watched the clock as midnight approached, with even the midwives hoping this could be the first arrival of 2025, said Amrina.
From her hospital room window, Amrina watched fireworks light up the Leicester sky at midnight – through her labour pains. “When I saw the clock, I was hoping she’d wait until 12 o’clock,” the now mum-of-three told LeicestershireLive. “I didn’t think she was going to be a New Year baby because I thought she would arrive around 11pm, but she pushed through until 12:30am.”
READ MORE: See inside amazing historic home that you can only visit three times a year
First baby of 2025, Baby Khan born 12.30am at Leicester Royal Infirmary
(Image: UHL)
History repeated itself for one Leicester family as they welcomed their second New Year’s Day baby in seven years. Baby Rushin arrival at 1.48am, weighing 5lb 1oz, at LRI was extra special for parents Alicia Rushin and Harris Taylor, as their daughter Remaya was born on New Year’s Day in 2017, at 6.26pm at the same hospital.
Second New Year’s Day baby – son of Alicia Rushin and Harris Taylor with big sister Remaya, born 1.48am
(Image: UHL)
The third arrival of the day came at 4.21am, when Soujanya Vitta and Ravi Kumar Reddy Vitta welcomed their second son, weighing 7lb, at LRI. The baby joins his nine-year-old brother.
Speaking to LeicestershireLive, mum Soujanya said: “I’m very happy and excited. It was a special moment after three long days, and after seeing him, I forgot everything. His nine-year-old brother was super excited to meet him.” When asked about the timing of the birth, she added: “I didn’t expect it would be New Year’s Day as I’d been having pains for three days.”
Third arrival – son of Soujanya and Ravi Kumar Reddy Vitta, born 4.21am
(Image: UHL)
The morning brought further arrivals at Leicester General Hospital, with Niraliben and Yashkumar Patel’s daughter, weighing 6lb 14oz, arriving at 8.14am.
First-time father Yashkumar, 26, said: “At the first scanning, they told us it would be January 1st and said we might be in the Mercury. We were very excited about that, so we were just expecting and hoping for January 1st,” he told LeicestershireLive.
Fourth New Year’s Day baby – daughter of Niraliben and Yashkumar Patel, born 8.14am
(Image: UHL)
Speaking about becoming a father, he added: “There is that feeling whenever you become a father – some greatness and responsibilities. But I will just forget about the responsibility first and enjoy becoming a dad. It’s always a special blessing when you have a girl.”
Minutes later, at 8:20am, parents Ebilayefa Gbakena and Fidelis Agbawe welcomed their baby girl, Aghoghozino, weighing 6lbs 14oz.
Third arrival – son of Soujanya and Ravi Kumar Reddy Vitta, born 4.21am
(Image: UHL)
Midwife Jet Karavadara said: “Working on New Year’s Day is a privilege, helping to welcome the new babies of the year and be part of this special time for the families. Coming on to a day shift and seeing the night staff happy to have welcomed the first baby of the year at the Leicester Royal Infirmary was a great start to 2025.”
We are now bringing you the latest updates on WhatsApp first