The MemorialCare Center for Women at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach joined proud parents Benita and David in welcoming their new baby girl, and first delivered baby of 2013 in Long Beach, Kaydin Calhoun.
Bouncing baby girl Kaydin Calhoun arrived one week after her Christmas day due date, just in time to become the first baby born in Long Beach in 2013 at the MemorialCare Center for Women at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. Coming into the world at 2:36 a.m., she is the third child of Long Beach residents Benita Lewis and David Calhoun. Older siblings David, 12, and Kasadi, 8, are both thrilled for their family’s new addition, Lewis said.
With a new baby girl, weighing a healthy 9 pounds, 4 ounces and 20.5 inches, Kaydin’s family brought in their New Year with a “surprise baby” instead of watching the famous Times Square ball drop. And though her new daughter’s birthday will always fall on a national holiday, Kaydin’s mother insists, “It’s going to be the first of the year, but it’s always going to be her day. We’re going to make it her day.”
In celebration of having the city’s first baby of the year, Benita and David received a special “First Baby Basket” — stuffed with onesies, booties and newborn clothing, receiving blankets, outlet covers and diapers, a specialized rubber ducky to monitor the temperature of bath water, a rattle and gifts for the new parents — from the staff at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach, which shares a hospital campus with Long Beach Memorial.
Rated as one of the safest places to have a baby by the State of California and Fit Pregnancy Magazine, the MemorialCare Center for Women at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach and Long Beach Memorial provides compassionate quality health care for expectant mothers. The Center offers a comprehensive program of research, treatment, educational resources, family classes and individual and family support programs. It also has spacious state-of-the-art private birthing suites and postpartum unit.
The Center offers a newly renovated Perinatal Special Care Unit with a leading high-risk perinatal program providing constant monitoring of mother and baby, while the baby grows as much as possible in the stable environment of the womb. The high-risk program is designed to ensure a safe delivery and smooth transition to the level III (tertiary) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Miller Children’s – keeping mom and baby together under one roof. A high-risk maternal transport program is available around the clock, and 24/7 lactation support is offered for mothers to ensure a smooth breastfeeding experience. Education classes, resources and family support programs are available for women that are in the early and late stages of pregnancy and after the baby has been born. With exceptional facilities, expert staff and high-quality care, nearly 6,000 families trust the MemorialCare Center for Women to safely deliver their babies every year.