01 January 2021, Motootua Hospital, Apia Samoa. Samoa’s first born baby for 2021 was born to Koreta Keti and Visesio Roma from Fusi Safotulafai, and Puapua village in the north east coast of Savaii.
A baby girl, just under 7 pounds was born at Motootua National Hospital at 2.35am this morning in what was not an easy delivery as shared by RN Tiara Tuulua and RN Lea Pomaniana.
Samoa’s baby girl could possibly be the World’s first born baby for 2021, if Tonga or Kiribati do not register birthtimes before Samoa. According to UNICEF an estimated 371,504 babies will be born around the world on the 1st of January 2021.
Koreta, 26, looked relaxed and recovered the next morning as she shared with Samoa Global News that this being their firstborn, there were a few contenders put forth by both sides of the family, for their baby girl’s name.
Koreta says she had traveled from Savaii some 4 weeks ago, to stay with her brother and his wife at Moamoa, so she could have her baby at Motootua National Hospital.
of her sister in law, Koreta stayed home until contractions were strong, and just over 5 minutes apart.
“We arrived here at 1am, and she had baby an hour and a half later, says the proud Visesio as he holds his wife’s hand.
Samoa’s 2021 New Year baby was born to proud parents Koreta and Visesio.
Visesio Roma, 27, is an employee of Apia Lua – a construction company in Savaii. He says he has been working there for 6 years now, and smiles as he adds, “That is where we met… she was the receptionist”.
Turning to Koreta to confirm this, I was taken aback by her response. “We met on the 21st of October 2017,” she said, then smiles bashfully as she realises that she may have responded too quickly, and with too much detail. Visesio, on the other hand has a huge grin on his face as he nodds and adds, “Yes, she remembers it!”
They looked at each other, smiled flirtatiously, and then turn back to me with serious faces as if to say, “Right, back to the baby…”
Visesio says his mother, Tema Roma Tautu, is excited about his firstborn, and wants him to name the baby after her. Koreta’s mom, Faasalafa, stands near her daughter’s bed and offers a smile at the suggestion.
Samoa’s New Years baby was delivered by RM Tiara Tuulua, the same registered nurse who had also delivered Samoa’s 2020 Baby a year ago.
Samoa Global News arrived before the health workers’ change of shifts at 8am. The RNs who had been on duty through the night l were excited to welcome the New Year, with cheerful smiles despite the all-nighter.
“Koreta and her baby girl were brought in from the Labour Ward after 2.30am, followed by Maybella and her baby boy just before 5am,” they confirmed.
RN Tiara Tuulua confirms that at the end of their shift on the morning of 1st Jan, they had delivered 3 babies; two girls and a boy.
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