Jenna Jenkins, from Iqaluit, never thought she would be giving birth 2,300 km away in Fergus, but her little baby was destined to be Groves Memorial Community Hospital’s first baby of 2022.
On Jan. 1, Jenkins gave birth to Jack Christopher Voss, born at 3:16 a.m. weighing seven pounds and 13 ounces.
“We’re sooo happy,” said father of the baby Chris Voss as he laughed with joy. “We’re really excited.”
Jack was the married couple’s first baby. Jenkins, originally from Cambridge and Chris, originally from Waterloo planned to deliver the baby in Cambridge Memorial while she spent time with her family during her pregnancy.
“There was a lot of excitement, a lot of build up to this moment and I guess it lived up to all of our expectations. It was really exciting,” said Jenkins.
The duo, both pharmacists, expected the baby to be born on Dec. 31.
“Last night, I was going in to get induced at Cambridge. And then they took a look at things and said ‘Oh my your water broke and you're contracting and we don't have the staff to support you tonight'. So we had to get out of there,” said Jenkins.
“Fergus had availability, which ended up being amazing. I can't say enough nice things about the staff here. It was a really good experience and we’re really lucky to have come here.”
Jenkins said she was lucky to be able to work and have a smooth pregnancy throughout the pandemic and that her hopes and dreams for her son are that he lives a happy and healthy life.
Jack is the first grandchild on both his mother’s and father's side.
“We're spending both of our parental leaves here before we head back to Iqaluit so both of our parents have made a nursery for him,” said Jenkins knowing her little baby will be smothered with love on both sides of the family.
