On New Year’s Eve, Julie and Kevin Baker of Littleton put to bed their two children, 5-year-old Isabel and 2-year-old Brennan, watched the ball drop in Times Square on television and turned in.
Julie’s physician had scheduled the delivery of their third child at the Emerson Hospital Clough Birthing Center on Jan. 8, but son Emmett William had more immediate plans. Julie awoke at 3:00 a.m. on Jan. 1 with contractions, and the couple arrived at Emerson around 7:30 a.m. Emmett became Emerson’s first baby of 2015 when he was born at 9:19 a.m., weighing 5 pounds, 1 ounce and measuring 18 inches long.
“It was definitely a surprise, and very special that he chose to come on this day,” said Julie, noting that Brennan also has a special birthday: St. Patrick’s Day. “I think it was meant to be.”
The Bakers’ special delivery was the first of four babies born at Emerson on New Year’s Day. Emmett was delivered by Ingrid Balcomb, MD of A.F.A. Obstetrics and Gynecology, P.C., who later delivered Chase Robert – the first child of Sara and Barrett Mononen of Watertown – at 8:28 p.m.
Emily Bearse, a certified nurse-midwife with A.F.A. Obstetrics and Gynecology, P.C., also delivered two babies that day. Elise Natalia, the first child of Milena and William Corr of Pepperell, was born at 12:49 p.m. Annabella Teresa, the third child of Amy and John Ciampa of Sudbury, arrived at 3:07 p.m.
Echoing the sentiments of the other three families, Julie Baker said she and her husband enjoyed a positive experience at Emerson. “It’s nice being in a more intimate environment compared to a Boston hospital,” she added. “The care we’ve received is top-notch.”
With their respective new years off to the best possible start, the couples are reveling in congratulations and extra attention for their specially timed deliveries.
“It’s a privilege to be part of so many special birthdays,” said Joanna Vallie, nurse director of obstetrical nursing at Emerson. “We warmly welcome these new additions to the extended Emerson family.”
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Emerson Hospital is a multi-site health system headquartered in Concord, Mass., with additional facilities in Sudbury, Groton and Westford. The 179-bed hospital provides advanced medical services to more than 300,000 individuals in 25 towns. To learn more, visit www.emersonhospital.org.