SARASOTA (Jan. 1, 2016) – Sarasota Memorial Hospital welcomed New Year's baby Antonio Washington Jr. into the world at the stroke of midnight. The healthy baby boy was the first baby born in 2016 on the Suncoast and likely anywhere else in this time zone.
It was all part of another rockin’ New Year’s Eve at Sarasota Memorial, where more than a dozen mothers labored throughout the day and night on New Year’s Eve. There were 16 babies (including one set of twins) born before midnight and Antonio’s mom Tyanne was in the final moments of labor while watching the ball drop in New York City’s Times Square on television.
Tyanne and dad Antonio celebrated Antonio Jr.’ birth just as the crystal ball completed its descent in Times Square at exactly midnight. Baby Antonio was right on schedule – his due date was Jan. 1.
The proud parents were keenly aware of the New Year's excitement taking place around them.
“It was so special … everybody was laughing and crying and yelling,” she said. “It couldn’t have been more perfect.”
Sarasota Memorial’s Labor & Delivery team and OB-GYN Dr. Wayne Cohen, MD were amazed by the timing as well. Tyanne went into labor naturally at 4:30 pm. After seven hours of labor, just before midnight, they heard there was a strong contender for the New Year’s baby in Manatee County. That baby was reportedly born one minute later than Antonio, at 12:01 am.
Antonio was born at exactly 12:00 am, on Tyanne’s 40-week gestational due date. He weighed in at 6 pounds, one ounce and was 19 inches long.
The last baby born in 2015 was delivered at 10:17 pm on Thursday, after his mom labored nearly 12 hours. Other milestone births on Thursday included one baby born on his mother’s birthday, and another arrived just in time to celebrate his great-grandmother’s 100th birthday.
Sarasota Memorial’s staff celebrated New Year's Eve with all of the families, with all the traditional holiday hoopla and non-alcoholic champagne. They presented Antonio’s family with a special New Year’s basket filled with gifts and supplies for baby Antonio.
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System:
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional referral center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of inpatient, outpatient and extended care services. It is the area’s only public and only not-for-profit hospital, delivering roughly 3,000 babies each year.