“Surprised” and “excited” were the words Mohammed and Dina Al-Ameri
used to describe how they felt when they learned that their new daughter Fatima
was the first baby born in Toronto for 2019.

“I really wasn’t looking at the time and thought maybe she
was born a few minutes after midnight, so I was shocked when the nurse told me
that she was born just eight seconds into the New Year,” said Dina.  

Dina’s due date was originally January 6, but she went into
labour the morning of December 31.

“By the evening Dina told me she needed to go to the hospital
as soon as possible. We arrived at about 10 p.m. and Fatima was born with the
New Year’s Eve fireworks. It was the best New Year’s ever,” explained Mohammed
with a smile.

Fatima – who was born at a healthy 6 pounds – is Mohammed
and Dina’s second child and also the second the Ajax couple has delivered at
Scarborough Health Network (SHN). Their 14-month-old son Alashtar was born at
the General hospital.

“The care here is the best,” said Mohammed. “The doctors and
nurses do everything they can to make the experience as easy as possible for
the mom.”

Dina agrees. “Dr. Yanni has been my doctor for both
of my pregnancies and she and all of the staff have been amazing and very
helpful.”

For Dr. Yanni, it’s the welcoming environment, as well as the
top notch care, that make SHN exceptional. “We have so many patients who tell
us that when they come here it feels like home and that’s exactly how
comfortable we want them to be,” she explained.

While Mohammed and Dina admit that Alashtar and Fatima may
well be joined by another sibling in the years to come, for now they are
grateful to be starting 2019 as a happy and healthy family of four.

“We are truly blessed,” said Mohammed.