85,000th baby

By Casey Neill
A TECOMA couple have welcomed healthy twin girls into the world – and reached a milestone in the process.
Angliss Hospital has been counting down to its 85,000th birth for several months.
Jada Melanie Todd was the lucky bub, but her little sister Skye Rebecca was hot on her heels.
Naomi Deffholts, 26, gave birth to Jada at 7.13am on Sunday 21 November, just over 34 weeks into her pregnancy.
She weighed in at 1.986 kilograms. Skye was born just one minute later at 1.944 kg.
Ms Deffholts and the girls’ father Leigh Todd said: “We are delighted on the safe arrival of our beautiful twin girls and very excited to be the parents of the 85,000th baby.”
Olinda’s Doreen Connelly gave birth to the second-ever baby born at Angliss Hospital, on 15 February 1940.
“The first to give birth at the hospital received 10 guineas, which was a lot of money back then,” Mrs Connelly said.
“I missed out but my baby boy was healthy and that’s the main thing.”
Mrs Connelly missed out on claiming the landmark birth by just half an hour.
“The (Angliss) hospital has always been there for everybody around here,” she said.
Angliss clinical and site operations chief Anthony Black said registering the hospital’s 85,000th birth with the arrival of twin girls was an exciting twist.
“Angliss Hospital is thrilled to reach the 85,000th mark on our birth register,” Mr Black said.
“Our maternity service is close to the hearts of many in our community and it is great for our hardworking staff to celebrate such a fantastic achievement.”
The hospital is seeking community support to raise $250,000 to refurbish its busy maternity unit.
The upgrade would include new curtains, equipment and flooring.
Donations can be made at www.easternhealth.org.au/donate