Christiana Care welcomes baby Ljubica as first childbirth of 2013

If Milica and Federico Schiavio of Andulusia, Pa., had known their daughter, Ljubica, would be the first baby born at Christiana Care in 2013, the news might have given them pause.

The Schiavios had planned to have their daughter at a local birthing center rather than at a hospital. Milica’s long labor began 18 hours before midnight. She already was past her due date. The Birthing Center transferred Milica to Christiana Hospital where she could have a Cesarean section if necessary, and she and her doctor decided after a while that the surgical approach would be safest and best.

“The [hospital] experience they thought might not be a good one turned out very nicely for them,” said OB Clinical Support Specialist Barbara Temple, RN. “She and her family were very happy with the outcome.”

Christiana Care Labor and Delivery nurses presented the family with a “First Baby of the New Year” gift basket — prepared by Parent Education staff — later New Year’s Day. The gifts included a stuffed panda, hooded towel, some washcloths, booties, a knitted cap, a picture frame, two sleepers for Ljubica and a parents’ basket donated by Brew Ha Ha containing two pounds of coffee, two tins of tea and some biscotti.

Christiana Care Health System delivers more than 6,600 babies annually and is the only delivering hospital in Delaware with a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit — the highest capability of intensive care for newborns.