The first baby born on Vancouver Island in 2019 came into the world just before 1 a.m. at Victoria General Hospital.
Named Maverick by parents Halie and Shane, the 7 pound 12 ounce bundle of joy will be the couple’s second child alongside his 5-year-old sister.
“Maverick felt the need for speed, arriving eight days before his due date!” said Meribeth Burton of Island Health. “Mom and babe are healthy but tired following the overnight delivery.”
The family is from the Cowichan Valley.
Further up Island, the second baby born in 2019 came at North Island Hospital in Campbell River at 2:06 a.m. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and the family is from Alert Bay.
Island Health said they’re expecting more babies born today at other hospital sites in Nanaimo and the Comox Valley.
On an average day, Island Health says 16 babies are born on Vancouver Island.
The first baby born in British Columbia happened just a couple minutes after the stroke of midnight in New Westminster.
READ MORE: 2019 B.C. New Year’s baby born in New Westminster
