In a heartwarming New Year’s Day story, Michelle Matanatabu, a first-time mother, welcomed her baby daughter into the world today, just two days after her wedding.
The surprise early arrival has not only brought joy to Michelle and her husband but also gave their extended family, many of whom live overseas, a pleasant surprise before they were due to return home.
Reflecting on the unexpected timing of her baby’s arrival, 25-year-old Michelle shared with fijivillage News that the birthing experience was hectic for her, as she had to attend her wedding just two days prior to giving birth.
She had been expecting her due date to be on the 19th of January.
Despite the challenges, Michelle says she is filled with gratitude for her daughter’s early arrival.
Her daughter, named Alison Elizabeth Marayawa, weighed in at 2.8 kilos, and was born a little ahead of schedule, which Michelle noted likely contributed to her being "super small."
The experience also came with a sweet surprise from CJ Patel, who presented Michelle with two generous hampers filled with baby care essentials at the labour ward.
She say the team showed a lovely gesture to the parents, and expressed her appreciation for the support.
Michelle also shared that her experience looking after her nieces and nephews helped her prepare for motherhood, though she admitted she had wished someone trained her on how to handle labour too.
She praised her husband for being an incredible support throughout the entire process, saying a strong support system is vital for women who are in labour.
With the arrival of Alison Elizabeth Marayawa on this special day, Michelle’s New Year will surely be one to remember, as she embraces the new role of mother to her precious daughter.
