Baby Tyde waits for no man

The ocean will be an important element in the life of the first baby born in Geraldton hospitals in 2017.

Tyde Chad Fairley was born at St John of God Hospital Geraldton on New Year’s Day, and like the pull of the ocean tide, the little one didn’t wait for anyone.

Gemma Williams, 29, said after she had contractions in the early hours of Sunday, medical staff told her the baby would need to be induced.

This occurred about 10.30am and by 12.53pm she had given birth to her second son, who weighed 2.77kg.

“It was a very quick birth, no drugs,” Ms Williams said.

“I feel absolutely perfect, really good. He’s very chilled out, eats and sleeps, that’s it,”

The newborn’s nautical name was chosen by Ms Williams and partner Kane Fairley, a rock lobster fisherman, who both have a close connection to the ocean.

Tyde’s middle name honours Mr Fairley’s brother Chad, who went missing aboard a fishing trawler which sank in July, 2015.

The Glenfield couple’s first son, Reef Dale Fairley, who was just three weeks old when Chad Fairley and two other crew members went missing, carries the name of another family member.

His middle name honours Ms Williams’ brother, who died seven years before his nephew was born.

Ms Williams said although both families had been touched by sadness and grief, they wanted to remember their loved ones through the happiness that surrounded the lives of their children.

Tyde was the only baby born at SJOG Geraldton on New Year’s Day.

There were no babies born at Geraldton Hospital on January 1.