The annual tradition of the New Year's Baby is always of interest to media and the public.

It symbolizes the start of the New Year and represents the first of the nearly 44,000 babies that are expected to be born in British Columbia in 2015.

This is a special time for mother, baby and their loved ones; and we ask that media follow the following protocols:

• Watch the government Twitter account @BCGovNews at 8 a.m. on Jan. 1 for information on the first birth in B.C.
• Once the announcement has been made, media can contact the health authority where the first baby of the New Year is born, through the contact details below after 8 a.m.
• If you would like more information regarding the first baby born in your region, please contact your local health authority's contact (listed below).
• Please do not contact local maternity wards for birth information, as they need to spend their time caring for mothers and newborns. The local health authority will consider organizing a limited media availability for the mother and baby, with the family's permission. Please respect the wishes of the family, as newly delivered moms and babies need their rest.

Event Date: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015

Time: 8 a.m.

Location: B.C. government Twitter account @BCGovNews

Special Instructions: For your local health authority, please choose your contact from the list below.

Fraser Health
Contact:
Kenneth Donohue
Media pager: 604 450-7881

Northern Health
Contact:
Michael Erickson
Media line: 1 877 961-7724

Interior Health
Contact:
Tracy Watson
Cell: 250 574-1523

Island Health
Contact:
Sarah Plank
Media pager: 250 389-7317

Provincial Health Services Authority
(BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre)
Contact:
Christina Low
Media pager 604 871-5699

Vancouver Coastal Health
Contact:
Gary Carr
Media pager: 604 686-9983