Birth of Aukusti Mikael Heikki

Aukusti Heikki was born at 09:46 at the Royal Bixbus Hospital, the first child of Aldo Heikki and Leena Heikki (née Mäkinen). He was one of the first children delivered in the hospital's maternity unit, which had been open for only a few weeks and still smelled faintly of fresh paint.

Leena's contractions began before dawn, and Aldo brought her in during the early hours. Midwife Klára Váradi settled her into one of the unit's birthing rooms and stayed with her through the labour. Dr Daniel Harper reviewed her notes shortly after admission and remained within reach, stepping in only for the final stage. Nurse Lia Brennan prepared the infant warmer and monitored mother and child throughout.

The labour was long but uncomplicated. Aldo stayed at the bedside for all of it, saying little and gripping the bed rail more often than Leena's hand. No other family was present. Leena's parents were in Helsinki and Aldo's mother was in Oulu, and there was no one else in Bixbus to call.

Aukusti was delivered at 09:46 and cried within seconds. Klára weighed him at 3.54 kilograms and laid him on Leena's chest while Lia entered the time and weight in his chart. Aldo touched the blanket before he touched his son, and did not speak for several minutes.

Dr Harper signed the delivery off as uncomplicated. Leena and Aukusti remained in the unit under observation, in a room where the staff still had to search the cupboards for supplies that had not yet been given a permanent place.