First baby of the year is a girl
Sophie Sandra Roach arrived 12:25 a.m. New Year's Day
There weren’t fireworks, but Fort Bragg residents Carley Copello and Garrison Roach celebrated the start of 2021 in an even more special way, welcoming their newborn daughter just after midnight on New Year’s Day.
Adventist Health Ukiah Valley’s first baby for 2021, Baby Sophie Sandra Roach was born 12:25 a.m. Baby Sophie was actually a little late, as she was due a week ago, but it turns out she was just waiting for the perfect timing. After many hours of labor for mom, little Sophie made her entrance after the clock struck midnight and made her family complete.
“All the pain was so worth it. It’s an amazing feeling to have her,” shares Copello.
As the tradition at the hospital, the arrival of the New Year’s baby is filled with anticipation and fanfare. Plans are made ahead of time with putting together a New Year’s basket filled
with handmade items such as a quilt, blankets and toys lovingly made by labor and delivery nurses.
The family also received baby necessities and their first box of diapers, which Baby Sophie will probably go through in no time. According to Babylist.com, in the first month of life, newborns average up to six to nine diaper changes per day. And over the first three months (the newborn stage), babies will go through about 700 diapers.
Baby Sophie is not alone in coming into this world on a special day. According to UNICEF, an estimated 371,504 babies will be born around the world on New Year’s Day.
While having a baby during a pandemic was a little different than what they envisioned, Copello and Roach said they had a great experience and felt very well- cared for by the team. “All the nurses were so kind and caring. The team from Care for Her were also great. These blankets are so sweet and something you’d never find at a store. It’s great knowing that she will have something unique to remember it by,” shares Copello.
After the year we’ve had, to mom and dad, as their firstborn, Baby Sophie represents hope and a fresh start.
“She’s our new beginning, the start of our journey together. We look forward to being a family, having a new best friend and just having someone to live for,” shares Roach.
Lots of adoring relatives and two sets of grandparents are eagerly awaiting Baby Sophie’s arrival on the coast. “We’ve been doing video- calls with them, so everyone is excited to see her.”
“There’s always something so special about welcoming new life, but there’s something even more exciting about having it at the beginning of the year. From parents and extended family members to staff, the anticipation builds as one year ends and the New Year begins. Our team is grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an important moment in people’s lives and the trust that our patients have in us to care for their most precious delivery,” shares Taff Cheneweth, RN, Labor and Delivery unit manager.