It’s a girl!

Baby Gabrielle Vendreyes Seaga made her appearance to beaming parents, Opposition Leader Edward Seaga and his wife, Carla, early yesterday morning at the Nuttall Memorial Hospital in Kingston.

“Carla is fine, tired, but fine,” said Seaga, “they are both healthy and beautiful,” a beaming Seaga added.

The baby, who weighed 7 pounds 4 1/2 ounces, was delivered at 8:05 am by Caesarean section and is the first child for Carla Seaga, and the fourth for Edward Seaga. The operation was performed by a medical team that included some of Jamaica’s most eminent specialists Drs Shaun Wynter, Vernon DaCosta, Stuart Murray and Priscilla Morais.

In a special photo shoot arranged for the media, a tired but radiant Carla Seaga, whose glow was accentuated by her pale, pink hospital gown, presented her daughter to be photographed while her husband stood by her side.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” she said, hugging the infant close. “I truly thank God for this blessing.”

While nurses and family members prepared the new mother and child to entertain visitors, a small and jovial group waited patiently outside the door with flower arrangements, balloons and showers of tributes from friends and well-wishers.

Among those waiting for a glimpse of the newborn was Jamaica Labour Party councillor Camille Buchanan, who gave birth in the same ward on Thursday.

Nurse Daphney Mills, who has been delivering babies at the Nutall Hospital for the past 32 years, was the attending nurse for both deliveries and was excited to be a part of the proceedings. “At first Mrs Seaga was a little tense, but once the doctors got underway everything was fine, and the baby is in good hands.”

The 72 year-old opposition leader said that welcoming a new child into the family was “always a thrill, no matter what time, what year or how long, and (Baby Gabrielle’s birth) has been no less of a thrill to me, even though its been a while”.

Seaga has three other offsprings from his previous marriage — Christopher, 36, Annabelle, 28 and Andrew, 26.

At the same time the JLP leader indicated that he would not be taking time off, but will maintain his rigorous schedule of public appearances and engagements in preparation for the upcoming elections.

Said Seaga: “Right now we are on the campaign trail, but that has been built into the overall programme of the birth.”

And what of mummy Seaga and her new bundle of joy, will they be staying at home in bed? Winking, the proud father smiled and quipped, “not for too long, if I know Carla!”