Congratulations and warm wishes have been received from near and far following the birth of baby, Briley, at Cooma Hospital on 2 January to proud first-time parents, Nimashi and Anushka.

Being born on 2 January at 6.19pm, Briley has already made her mark on the world becoming the first baby born at the hospital this year and one of Cooma’s newest community members.

She was actually due on 15 January but a case of suspected pre-eclampsia brought her arrival date forward.

Nimashi and Anushka were prepared for the birth, but not ready for her to come two weeks early.

Despite the initial drama surrounding the birth, once at Cooma Hospital Nimashi was taken care of by doctors and staff so well there was no trauma or issues when she and Briley were discharged from the hospital about a week later.

“Briley is doing really well,” Nimashi said last Friday, at her home in Bent Street.

“She is feeding and doing everything a new born should...the whole experience at hospital was amazing. I am grateful for how patient and caring the staff were.

“As it was suspected pre-eclampsia I was being monitored very closely and then induced into labour.

“It was stressful for my husband particularly, but we got so much help and support, we didn’t really feel the pressure,” Nimashi said.

“Now we are home, I feel safe and there’s been no post-trauma from my time at the hospital.”

Anushka, a maintenance engineer for Transport for NSW, has taken some time off to stay home with Nimashi and the baby.

“We very much appreciate and thank the doctors and nurses at maternity and Cooma Hospital staff in general for their support, professionalism and care,” Nimashi said.