Our maternity teams welcomed some special Christmas gifts this year, as a number of babies were born at Lister Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit across the festive period.
In total, 17 babies were safely delivered over the three-day festive period, with seven babies born on Christmas Eve, five on Christmas Day and a further five arriving on Boxing Day.
Over the three days, our dedicated colleagues worked around the clock – much like Santa Claus – to safely deliver new arrivals, supporting families at one of the most memorable moments of their lives.
Despite the Christmas celebrations taking place across the country, the maternity unit remained as busy as ever throughout December – filled with the sounds of newborn cries and the excitement of proud parents meeting their babies for the very first time.
Families who spent Christmas in hospital described the experience as unforgettable, with many saying the kindness and support of staff helped make their festive birth experience even more magical.
Hannah and Marcus Brown – whose newborn son Vinnie (pictured below) arrived on Christmas Day morning at 10.55am – said:
We truly can not thank the Lister Hospital staff enough for taking care of us and making our birth experience feel so special. Thank you to all the staff who gave up their Christmas Day to make ours the best one yet.
Suresh and partner Sri were overjoyed by the early arrival of their daughter – who was originally due in January – who was born a month early on Christmas Day. They said:
It was a complete surprise for us – our baby’s original due date was 25 January 2026. Although this was a stressful and unexpected situation for us as parents, the delivery went smoothly and was well managed. Every member of staff we encountered, from doctors and midwives to nurses and support staff was so kind, professional and attentive, which made a significant difference during a challenging time.
Proud father Suresh, added:
She is our Christmas baby and truly feels like a gift. Knowing she will celebrate her birthday on Christmas Day makes it especially meaningful for our family, and we are very thankful for the care and support we received throughout our experience.
The festive spirit on the unit was encapsulated by handmade crochet Santa hats – made by a midwife’s mother and gifted to each family of a newborn baby from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day.
Amanda Rowley, Director of Midwifery and Lead Divisional Director, Women’s & Children’s Division said:
Welcoming babies into the world is always a privilege, but there’s something extra special about Christmas births. I am incredibly proud of our maternity teams who worked tirelessly over the festive period to provide safe, compassionate and personalised care for every family.
Thanks also to our East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals Charity for donating teddy bears to all our families and to those families and their loved ones for their patience and understanding during the busy holiday period, as well as to all NHS staff who worked over Christmas to keep services running.
As the New Year nears, we congratulate all families who welcomed new arrivals over the festive season – and throughout 2025 – and wish all a happy and healthy future together.
