By MIKE CAPUTO
The mother, Roselvis Turcios, 24, of Hempstead, happened to be in the hospital's women's pavilion for a routine appointment in the early afternoon of New Year's Eve. Turcios, whose expected delivery date was Dec. 26, was soon admitted into the delivery ward upon experiencing labor-like symptoms.
Nearly 12 hours later, NUMC doctors and nurses helped Turcios deliver Erica at 12:19 a.m. on Jan. 1.
"I was surprised it happened [after midnight]," Turcios said. "I am pleased that it was the first baby born in the hospital in the New Year."
Erica Jeanette Turcios is the first child for Roselvis and her husband, Victor Turcios.
Roselvis Turcios said her natural childbirth was painful, but was aided by her supportive husband, who stood nervously by her side throughout the family's memorable New Year's Eve at NUMC. Following the birth of Erica, Victor Turcios excitedly phoned family in El Salvador about the good news. The Turcios welcomed their newborn baby to their Hempstead home on Saturday.
On Friday, Jan. 2, NUMC staff presented the New Year's baby and her mother with a gift basket filled with various baby-related items, and a gift card to a local store. The gift presentation is an annual tradition at the hospital around New Year's and is funded by the hospital's auxiliary. A blanket was also donated by Sandi Terzulli, a friend of NUMC.
NUMC's Dr. Marilyn Robertson, who delivered the newborn, said the mother was cooperative and ensured a smooth process as the clock ticked beyond the midnight hours.
"I have been delivering for 15 to 18 years now, and it is still amazing how it is in the mom, connected to the mom, and it comes out and a few seconds later and is all functioning by itself," Robertson said. "It is still an amazing event, even after doing it for all of these years."
According to Laura Kyrillidis, director of nurses, about 2000 babies are born a year at NUMC.
In addition to hosting a prenatal diagnosis unit and a neonatal intensive care unit for premature babies, NUMC is the only hospital on Long Island to offer an option for mother's to deliver in a water-birthing tub. Kyrillidis said the hospital usually gets about 50 to 60 requests a year for the traditional water birth method.
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
