Amherstview couple ‘ecstatic’ to welcome Kingston area’s first baby of 2023

As many throughout the Kingston area were counting down the hours, then minutes, then seconds to the dawn of 2023, one local couple were counting down to something much more personal and special: the birth of their first child, and Kingston’s first baby of the new year.

Sheena Arora and Rishabh Sethi spent much of New Year’s Eve in Kingston General Hospital (KGH), but their reason for being in the hospital was one that came with much joy and excitement. Just hours into 2023, the couple’s firstborn was welcomed into the world, as Aadyah Arora Sethi was born at 2:16 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.

The couple, who reside in Amherstview, moved to the area 18 months ago. Both work in the tech sector and are currently working from home, so the parents were able to be together much of the time through pregnancy, Sethi told Kingstonist in the hours after the birth of his son. But that didn’t stop Aadyah from taking his time before entering the world – the couple were planning around a December 27, 2022, due date, his father shared.

So when their son’s arrival became imminent on New Year’s Eve Day, the couple was ready and, despite the eight to nine hours Arora spent in labour, Aadyah was born a healthy 6 lbs 0 oz (2,710 g).

“It was a race against time when we were informed by the [hospital] staff that this could be the first baby of 2023,” Sethi shared with excitement, giving a nod to their “rockstar” nurse, Tara, who was “super helpful and ensured that my wife was comfortable before pushing.”

“Our friends and family were ecstatic, and everyone felt super happy knowing he is the first one. Overall, friends and family both are super happy,” he said.

While Aadyah is currently in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) getting the loving care he needs to build up strength before travelling home with mom and dad, the parents were overwhelmed with gratitude for the team they worked with at KGH. Sethi said that, beyond nurse Tara, the couple would like to thank their “super chilled” doctors, Dr. Chris and Dr. Waddington, as well as Dr. Laura and nurse Ashley with the NICU, and postpartum nurse, Kate.

“Although these are some names I can remember… there were so many other people who assisted from time to time and made this experience great,” the new father said with elation. Sethi also expressed sincere thanks to the couple’s family and friends who “were there for us during this pregnancy and were always willing to help.”

Because Aadyah is currently in the NICU, the couple doesn’t have any photos of their little family all together yet – but Sethi isn’t too worried.

“His condition has improved a lot and soon he will be discharged,” he expressed, “Once he is out, we will have tons of photos!”

Sethi and Arora are thrilled their son is Kingston’s New Year’s baby, and cannot wait for the days, weeks, and months ahead – with Aadyah being the focus of more than just their cameras.

“He completes our family,” said Sethi, “and we are looking forward to bonding with baby, spending quality moments together, and making some memories in 2023.”