Figtree couple Sally Hill and Drew Pullen weren't expecting their first child to be an "Australia Day baby".
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"We were down in Berry at my parents' place, hanging out by the pool with my family and nephews, going to have a barbecue lunch," she said on Monday.
"About 9am we realised things were happening, but we still didn't think we'd have the baby yesterday."
Their little girl arrived earlier than anticipated.
The new arrival was the first baby born in Wollongong on Australia Day for 2020. Born in Wollongong Hospital at 5.13pm, she weighed 3.565kg.
"Two weeks we thought we had," Ms Hill laughed.
"It's pretty cool - we're not going to forget the date, that's for sure," he said.
"It's all a bit of a whirlwind, but she's all good, beautiful and we're very happy."
The couple were yet to decide on a name, but had a shortlist to choose from.
"We thought we were having a boy... We've got boys in our family," Ms Hill, 31, said.
"We thought we had a few more days up our sleeve too," Mr Pullen, 35, said.
The family met with the Mercury while in the hospital's neonatal unit on Monday morning.
"Her shoulder got stuck as she was coming out, and she was in shock apparently, but otherwise she's doing very well," Ms Hill said.
Robyn Hampton, a member of Wollongong City Council's Australia Day committee, makes a presentation of gifts and other items to the parents of the first baby born in Wollongong each Australia Day.
"It's about acknowledging the fact they they are a special little bub, born on this day, and to acknowledge the significance of Australia Day," she said.