Mika arrived just in time to become the first baby born in Long Beach at the Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach in 2019. Coming into the world at 12:00 a.m., he joins big brother Tuilati (2) as the second child of Tanumafili and Neriflorence, residents of Long Beach, Calif.

“It was exciting to have all of the nurses around us cheering for us to deliver at midnight,” said Neriflorence Seanoa. “It is truly a blessing to receive this great gift for the new year.”

In celebration of having the hospital’s first baby of the year, Tanumafili and Neliflorence received a special “First Baby Basket” — stuffed with onesies, booties, newborn clothing, receiving blankets, diapers and gifts for the new parents — from the care team at Miller Children’s & Women’s.

The Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s offers compassionate, quality health care for expectant mothers. A multi-disciplinary team offers a comprehensive program of research, treatment, educational resources, family classes and individual and family support programs.

In 2018, Miller Children’s & Women’s became a Baby-Friendly birth facility. The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

For high-risk pregnancies, the Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center offers a Perinatal Special Care Unit with a leading high-risk perinatal program providing constant monitoring of mother and baby. The high-risk program is designed to ensure a safe delivery and smooth transition to the level III (tertiary) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – keeping mom and baby together under one roof. With exceptional programs, expert care teams and high-quality care, nearly 6,000 families trust the Miller Children’s & Women’s to safely deliver their babies every year.

Mika was born right on his due date, after just over 7 hours of labor and weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz., and was 21 inches long.