Kelly and Paul Spaay are the proud parents of new baby Cullen, born early Friday morning at Saint Clare's Hospital in Weston, and just in time for a 2005 child tax credit.
"We had a C section, we had our choice either way. I had a C section with my first, regular with the second, so [my doctors] advised a C section with this one," says Kelly.
So if Kelly really wanted to, she probably could've waited a few more days in hopes of having the first baby in 2006.
And according to nurses at Saint Clare's, it's actually a common dilemma that women due around the new year face.
"Some will say, 'Yes, do it to get the tax deduction,' some say, 'Wait until you go into labor naturally,'" says Shelly Parsells, R.N., director of the Family Birth Center at Saint Clare's.
As with any birth, Parsells says the health of the baby is most important. So if the mom has the option of having the baby on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, they should discuss it with their doctor.
Otherwise, if the baby is born too early, it could result in serious complications.
"When the mom and physician schedule the labor or c-section they have to look at the total health of the pregnancy and the mother," Parsells says.
For Kelly, she says all that mattered was little Cullen's health, but adds that tax credit is a pretty nice bonus.
Here's a link to a list of tax credits your newborn may be eligible for in 2005:
http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/planning/life_events/birth.html
