A Cape Town couple have postponed the birth of their twins to the New Year to make sure they don’t go to school when they are too young.
Yumna Davids was due to give birth on Wednesday, but she and husband Amien decided to postpone the birth by a few days to January so that the twins may start school at an appropriate age – when they are already seven years old.
It means the couple from Retreat, Cape Town, will watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks parties from the balcony of Netcare Chris Barnard Memorial Hospital in the city centre on Thursday night in anticipation of their twins, Haniyyah and Saeed, who will be born via elective C-section on Friday.
The parents-to-be believe that having their twins at this time of the year will put them at an advantageous position academically later in life.
“We are just planning ahead. We both want them to go to school the year they turn seven, but at the same time we don’t want them to go when they are still too young or be the youngest in class.
“If they were born this month they would probably have to start school too early… and would turn seven in December. We’ve read that starting school too soon puts a child at a disadvantage as their brain has not matured yet,” Yumna said.
Amien said it was going to be a special New Year’s Day for them. “We won’t only be celebrating the new year, but it will be a double-celebration as we will be receiving our twins into this world, the first members of our family. It’s a moment that we’ve been eagerly waiting for. It’s going to be the best New Year’s gift for me ever,” he said.
Yumna said having a baby on New Year’s Day was not only unique for the family as they would have double-celebrations, but having a birthday on the first day of the year would also be special for the twins.
“It’s a very special time of the year, and I’m sure it’s going to be special for them too. We will always have a reason to celebrate the day,” she said.
Dr Peter de Jong, the gynaecologist who will be delivering the twins, said the Davids couple were not the only parents who chose to have their babies on New Year’s Day.
“It’s becoming a popular day for many new parents. When possible, many parents choose to hold back for the 1st of January not only because of its significance, but they do so for many reasons… including schooling reasons. Even though it’s a public holiday, I already have three elective C-sections to be done on that day… that’s how popular it is,” he said.
Cape Argus