Rob and Natalie Pofi of O’Hara had a rollicking time at a relative’s wedding at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh on New Year’s Eve.
Delivering a baby was not on their minds, as Natalie Pofi was scheduled for a Cesarean section Jan. 23. While kicking up her heels at the wedding, Pofi felt what might have been slight contractions.
“We were having too much fun,” she joked.
Still, the couple called their doctor and stopped at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital about 11 p.m. Saturday just to make sure everything was OK.
Doctors determined Pofi was in labor. A mere hour and a half later, at 12:35 a.m. Jan. 1, Madison Lee Pofi was born weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces and measuring 19 inches long, becoming UPMC’s first baby of the year.
“She wanted to dance,” Pofi said. “She came feet first.”
The couple had nothing packed and no car seat installed in the family vehicle. Because of the wedding, family was already watching the couple’s first child, Dominic, who will turn 2 in three weeks.
The couple’s extended families were surprised.
“We left the wedding and sent pictures of Madison before the wedding was over,” Pofi said.
Madison is considered a preemie – she was born after 36 weeks, just one week shy of going full term, Pofi said. Mother and child are in good health with no restrictions for Madison.
The party will continue for the Pofis, as Natalie Pofi will celebrate her 38th birthday Jan. 4.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” she said.
Braxton Rusch has the distinction of being Allegheny Health Network’s first baby of the year in the Greater Pittsburgh area, according to a news release from the health system.
Katherine and Anthony Rusch of Bethel Park welcomed Braxton at 2:02 a.m. Jan. 1 at AHN’s Jefferson Hospital in Jefferson Hills. Braxton weighs 8 pounds, 1 ounce and is just a little over 20 inches long.
The Western PA Diaper Bank will provide the Rusch family with free diapers for one year. AHN caregivers gave the family a birthday gift basket.
No babies had been born in the new year in Excela Health hospitals as of Sunday evening.
Mary Ann Thomas is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mary by email at mthomas@triblive.com or via Twitter .
