Perfect timing for Baby Georgia, New Year鈥檚 baby born at Salmon Arm鈥檚 hospital

Georgia appeared about 9:30 p.m. Jan. 2 at Shuswap Lake General Hospital

Martha Wickett
Jan 3, 2023 3:40 PM Jan 3, 2023 3:58 PM

31477030_web1_230111-SAA-New-Years-Baby-Georgia1 — Baby Georgia rests after her birth at Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm at 9:28 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2023. She is the hospital鈥檚 2023 New Year鈥檚 Baby. (Photo contributed)

Little Georgia made her appearance a bit earlier than expected, but just in time to be the first baby born in 2023 at Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm.

Georgia was born Monday, Jan. 2 at 9:28 p.m. to parents Jen Morley and Garick Gray. She is a sibling to Harper, who is four-and-a-half and thrilled to be a big sister to wee Georgia.

Mom Jen explained her baby was due on Jan. 10, but then Jen got sick with a cold and ended up with a fever, headache and other symptoms. Because of the baby, she came to the hospital to be checked.

Jen鈥檚 heart rate was up as was the baby鈥檚, so the hospital gave her intravenous fluids for about an hour. Although their heart rates dropped, medical staff were considering inducing her the next day to stay on top of the situation.

鈥淣one of us felt great trying to birth naturally if I wasn鈥檛 breathing well.鈥�

So they decided on an immediate Cesarean section as it seemed to be the safest route for both her and her baby.

鈥淚t went so good,鈥� said Jen. 鈥淲e had an amazing crew here with the staff. Every single one of them was great.鈥�

One of the nurses in the operating room brought handmade swaddle blankets for Georgia.

鈥淪he was so sweet,鈥� Jen said of the nurse.

Georgia was a healthy 8 lbs 2 ozs when born.

鈥淪he鈥檚 doing awesome. She鈥檚 very content, an easy baby; she likes to drink milk, cuddle and sleep.鈥�

Harper came to meet Georgia the morning after Georgia was born and was ecstatic, Jen said.

鈥淪he said she鈥檚 going to crawl into her crib at night and cuddle her. She said she鈥檒l help with the diapers, just not the poopy ones,鈥� Jen laughed. 鈥淪he鈥檚 going to be a good little helper.鈥�

Jen and the baby will stay in hospital one more night, until Jan. 4, just to make sure everything is okay.

The family has lived in Salmon Arm for a while, but moved to Blind Bay about two months ago.

Georgia鈥檚 second name is Rose, which Jen said is significant in Garick鈥檚 family history.

As for the name Georgia, 鈥淚 just loved it, no reason for it.鈥�

Jen said she is feeling good after the surgery.

鈥淪ore and tired, but that鈥檚 to be expected. It probably will feel like a long recovery, but it will all be worth it.鈥�

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martha.wickett@saobserver.net
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31477030_web1_230111-SAA-New-Years-Baby-Georgia2 — Baby Georgia relaxes with Mom Jen Morley following her birth at Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm on Jan. 2, 2023. (Photo contributed)

31477030_web1_copy_230111-SAA-New-Years-Baby-Georgia — Dad Garick Gray and Mom Jen Morley cuddle with Baby Georgia following her birth at 9:28 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2. She is the 2023 New Year鈥檚 Baby at Shuswap Lake General Hospital. (Photo contributed)

About the Author: Martha Wickett

came to Salmon Arm in May of 2004 to work at the Observer. I was looking for a change from the hustle and bustle of the Lower Mainland, where I had spent more than a decade working in community newspapers.

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