More Births Expected on 11/11/11
Filed by Ben Allen in Art & Life, Feature, Health, Local News.
November 11, 2011
11/11 is a lot of different things to people. It’s a day to remember the sacrifices made by those who serve our country, or a time every night to make a wish. Today is the rare 11-11-11. That’s got some soon to be mothers ready to give birth on such an uncommon day…
They’re expecting to hear even more crying babies in the rooms of Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City today. Nurses and doctors say they’ve seen a jump in scheduled C-sections for the day. They usually average about two a day, but today there’s at least eighton the calendar.
“I think they just like the date. Any day of the birth of your baby is a special day but I think they all like the date. The uniqueness of that date. You know those dates only come around so often.”
Shelly Walker has worked at Mercy for 29 years. She says every day at work is a good one, but there is something special about today. What is it though? Carol Chambless, nurse manager at the Family Birth Place at Mercy takes a stab at the question…
“It’s kinda like when you just write that date down it’s kinda like ‘Oooh that’s gotta be that babies lucky number’, or this is a good day for those parents. It’s just exciting.”
For Dr. Darren Goff, the day is just another one at the hospital. He hadn’t even thought about any significance. But then he looked at his calendar.
“People are excited about it, just like when dates fall that are kinda fun. And it’s kinda fun that I have three people and that’s exactly when they fall to have their baby and two sets of twins so I’m going to have five babies that day, all born on 11/11/11.”
Dr. Goff will be helping deliver Jennifer Steele’s twins. She and her husband always had their eye on 11/11, because he’s a veteran. Until recently, they were out of luck. Mercy was booked solid, so Jennifer was on the list for 11/12. Then one mother gave birth earlier than expected, and a spot opened up.
“First two for us, so we’re very excited. First two little girls. And we worked really hard to get that 11/11/11 date so we are excited that it all worked out.”
There’s the serious aspect of the day, but even Jennifer acknowledges there’s something else too.
“It’s definitely easy to remember and it’s fun. I mean it’s very unique and I think that twins are unique and it’s just something special that the girls can have and share. Just a different kind of birthday.”
Dr. Goff says he always tries to accommodate his patients, but wouldn’t make any changes just so a newborn could have a one of a kind birthday. Parents often have a date in mind, but this is one of the only times that a group targeted the same day.
“People always kinda want some day. The 23rd of the month could something special to them because everyone in their family is born on the 23rd so people always commonly have some special day they’d like to try to have their baby on.”
Mercy says they have the eight scheduled C sections, and that’s on top of however many patients go into labor on their own. Shelly Walker is excited to be a part of all the action.
“We’re going to be very busy. But we’re ready. Bring it!”
events
