Welcoming the first baby of 2008

On Friday, Jan. 4 the staff at St. John's Lutheran Hospital welcomed Ashlenn James, daughter of Heather and Mitchell James as the first baby born in 2008 in Lincoln County. Ashlenn made her entrance at 8:10 a.m. weighing 9 pounds, 2 ounces, and measuring 21 inches long. Dr. Jana Hall, who also delivered the New Year's Baby in 2007, was the attending physician. Ashlenn joins her big sister Alyssa James, 3.

"We think that all of our births are exciting here at St. John's, and we look forward to each one, but there is something very special about the first baby of each year, and the way the whole community awaits the arrival," commented Jada Schnetter, RN and Coordinator of Obstetric Services at St. John's. "This year we delivered 94 new lives into this world and anticipate even more in 2008."

The new parents were thrilled to have obstetric and birthing services offered locally.

"Having health care services so close and convenient is truly a blessing," noted new mom Heather James. "My water broke at 4 a.m. and I would not have looked forward to a 90 mile drive at that time in the morning." Ashlenn was delivered by C-section early Friday morning.

"I could not have been more pleased with Dr. Hall, Mark Edwards, CRNA (Anesthesia), and the surgical team at St. John's," added James. "I was nervous, to say the least, and everyone was so kind and considerate, they really worked as a team and that put my mind at ease."

The New Year's baby is celebrated throughout the community. Along with St. John's Hospital employees and Auxiliary members, who provided the new parents with a child car seat, a baby quilt, beanie babies, an afghan handmade by a hospital employee, and a case of diapers — other area businesses and individuals joined in and provided gifts for the new family. Pamida generously donated a stroller, Glacier and First National banks provided $100 savings bonds, Libby Clinic put together a diaper pail full of baby gifts including a baby monitor, and the Community Health Center donated a baby basket filled with newborn accessories.

Approximately 100 babies are delivered annually at St. John's.

"We pride ourselves in our Obstetric services," added Schnetter. "We offer our mom's the best possible care including free pre-natal classes, state-of-the-art birthing equipment, trained and certified OB nurses, jacuzzi tub for relaxation, newborn care instruction; all the services new parents should expect for their delivery. We also offer the kind of care and compassion that sends our new families home confident in the care they received and in their impending parenthood."

For more information about the Birthing Facilities at St. John's Lutheran Hospital or a tour, please call KC Hoyer at 293-0106 or visit our web site at www.sjlh.com .

~ Contributed by KC Hoyer, executive director of St. John's Lutheran Hospital Foundation