Mirrah Miriam Manu arrived into the world at 12.24am at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald on the outskirts of Belfast.
Weighing in at 6lb 3oz baby Mirrah made her first appearance slightly ahead of schedule for mum Jesna Antony and partner Manu Matthew.
“She was expected on the 29th but I had a pain and contractions and so I had to come and during the assessment they said they needed to do the C-section and so they did,” Jesna told the Belfast Telegraph. “It was my husband’s wish that (she be born on Christmas Day).
“We are both okay and I think she is getting discharged tomorrow.”
Baby Mirrah in her festive hat and special blanket alongside mum Jesna
Mirrah’s name, taken from Jesna and Manu’s native Indian dialect, is linked to the special day of her birth.
“In our language, when Jesus was born, three kings came and three things were given and one thing is Mirrah,” explained Jesna.
“Once we knew she was going to be born in December it was a gift and it was my wish for her to have this name.”
For care assistant and nursing student Jesna (32) it’s her second child. Her first, also a daughter, was born in India before they moved to Northern Ireland two years ago.
Ulster Hospital labour ward sister Tracy McAllister (holding Mirrah) with her staff and mum Jesna
On hand to deliver baby Mirrah were the maternity team at the Ulster, headed by ward sister Tracy McAllister.
“They were all very nice, very confident and very supportive,” said Jesna.
Baby Mirrah was given a specially made blanket to mark the occasion bearing the words ‘I’m a Xmas no.1…South Eastern Trust first Xmas baby 2025’ to go with her festive hat and cardigan.
Parents Chris McKenna and Margaret Watiri with new born baby girl joined by grandmothers Esther McKenna and Josephine Goedert
Arriving after Mirrah was a baby girl for parents Margaret Watiri and Chris McKenna.
She was delivered at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast at 3.36am and at a weight of 8lb 11oz with a ‘My first Christmas’ outfit ready for the occasion.
Grandmothers Esther McKenna and Josephine were there to celebrate the couple’s early Christmas present.
Chloe Coggles holding her new born son at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast
At the same hospital mum Chloe Coggles gave birth to a baby boy of 7lb 6oz at 9.57am.