He was supposed to be born on Dec 13, but Ilhan Shameel Saharudin came knocking early - and was one of the first two babies born here on 12/12/12.

The 3.8kg Malay boy was delivered naturally at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital at one minute past midnight.

At exactly the same time, a Chinese girl, Ashley Huang, was born naturally at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, weighing in at 2.96kg.

Despite the auspicious date, medical institutions did not report an unusual rise in the number of mothers who elected for caesarean births.

The boy's parents, Mr Saharudin Mohd Kasim, 33, and Ms Fairuzah Hamid, 25, have an older son.

Referring to his wife being in labour for eight hours, Mr Saharudin said he was "scared" and that he "prayed very hard".

The Singaporean Muslim couple received $100 worth of pharmacy vouchers from the hospital, and a bath set worth over $100.

Said Ms Fairuzah, an administrative assistant: "As my husband's birthday is coming up soon on Christmas day, this feels like a double celebration."

Meanwhile, Ashley is also the second child for her parents, Steven, 35 and Maggie, 36. They received a hamper of baby products, valued at $500, from the hospital.

Mrs Huang, a sales executive, said her daughter is "very punctual", given that yesterday was her expected delivery date.

Her husband added: "As long as the baby is healthy, any time is a good time. The date is just a nice coincidence."

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