And one of the first infants to be born in Chicago was birthed at Swedish Covenant Hospital. Both facilities are operated by Covenant Ministries of Benevolence on behalf of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Kate Rebekah Sammons was born at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday at Emanuel Medical Center, according to the Modesto Bee. She was an early arrival in more ways than one – her parents, Rebekah and Troy Sammons, weren’t expecting Kate until January 15, but complications forced the physician to induce labor. Everyone is reported to be healthy.
Dr. Brian Bigelow detected the baby’s slowing heartbeat when her mother Rebekah sought prenatal care after experiencing early contractions. Bigelow proved to be correct in believing the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck.
Bigelow has practiced medicine for 34 years, but Kate was the first time he delivered the first baby of the new year. “I was hoping it would happen,” Bigelow told the Modesto Bee. “I always wanted to have the first baby of the year be one of my patients – it’s just a cool thing. They’re a super nice couple.”
