Camille Naredo

Health workers at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila work through the long weekend on October 31, 2023.

Health workers at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila work through the long weekend on October 31, 2023. Makr Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Health Workers Serving Through the Holidays

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Some people hope to welcome the new year with new life -- and not simply in a metaphorical sense.Over at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, competition for the “New Year baby” title appears slim compared to previous years. According to some doctors and patients, they are seeing fewer pregnant women at the building on December 31st.On average, the hospital accommodates 40 to 50 pregnant patients daily, according to Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital Senior House Officer Dr. Luis Legaspi.But from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the hospital only had 12 pregnant patients.Some of the few patients that have since come in are still hopeful they would give birth to the hospital’s first baby of 2026, according to Legaspi. “So far, I think there are still mothers na nagpapa-induce na but may iba ayaw pa since gusto nila na new year babies ‘yung lumabas sa kanila,” Legaspi said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/12/31/fireworks-injury-toll-rises-to-140-doh-1303">READ: Fireworks injury toll rises to 140 — DOH</a></div>Among those hopeful to be a mother to the first New Year baby is Roxanna Bangcaya, who had to go to the hospital as early as 8 a.m. “Kaninang umaga po, ‘yung pagkagising, parang masakit na siya tapos may lumabas na po siyang discharge kaya dumiretso na po kami rito. Nung pumunta po ako dito, sabi ng doktor, 3 cm na daw po kaya naghintay na lang po kami sa labas kaysa umuwi pa po kami,” Bangcaya said.But the hospital visit came as a surprise as she was initially due to give birth in January.Both Bangcaya and another pregnant patient, Ayessa Machon, expressed relief over seeing less people at the hospital on New Year’s eve. “Ngayon po, hindi katulad dati— mga nakaraan, okay naman ito yung mga tao dito. Hindi po siya ganoon ka-ano. Mabilis pa ‘yung process nila dito sa mga hospital,” Machon said.Unlike Bangcaya, however, Machon hopes she does not end up giving birth on the first day of the year as she has only been seven months pregnant.Legaspi also reminded mothers-to-be to head straight to the hospital once they are in labor. “Ang reminder ko lang naman is if you are in labor, please go to the nearest hospital, siyempre. Of course, if you want to have your labor here in Fabella, we can of course accept you naman, and we will manage them,” Legaspi said.According to the doctor, the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital has been preparing for the influx of pregnant patients with a 12-bed capacity in the emergency room.

Some people hope to welcome the new year with new life and not simply in a metaphorical sense.

Some people hope to welcome the new year with new life and not simply in a metaphorical sense.

Fabella Hospital seeing fewer pregnant patients on Dec. 31 amid preps for ‘New Year babies’

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Fabella Hospital seeing fewer pregnant patients on Dec. 31 amid preps for ‘New Year babies’

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 31, 2025 05:43 PM PHT

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