Butler's first birth of 2022 home and healthy
Margaret and James Free's first child was due for delivery Jan. 14, but Margaret's co-workers joked that she would end up giving birth on New Year's Day.
“Not possible,” she said.
Their son, Charles Edward Free, would end up missing the New Year's Eve festivities, but not by much.
“We were actually out with friends in New Year's Eve for a get-together,” Margaret said. “We didn't get home until like 2 (a.m.), and my water broke at 4 (a.m.).”
Charles Edward Free was born at 2:07 p.m. Jan. 1 at Butler Memorial Hospital — about 12 hours after his parents returned from the New Year's Eve gathering, Margaret said.
Although he came a few weeks earlier than expected, Margaret said the process still went smoothly, even as they drove from their home in Oakland Township to Butler Memorial
Hospital in the morning.“I was a lot calmer than I thought I would be,” she said. “We just drove since my water broke and it was pretty quiet on the drive there.”Margaret also said the hospital was a still scene when she and James arrived in the dawning hours of the new year. She said the hospital's COVID-19 policy meant visitors weren't allowed in during their stay, but they got to take their new baby home Sunday.Margaret said members of the hospital staff were excited as well.“They just were all happy to have a New Year's baby,” Margaret said.Charles, Margaret and James are now healthy and safe at home.Weighing in at 7 pounds and 19 inches, Charles is named after grandparents of both of his parents. James' grandmother was named Charlotta. Charles was the name of Margaret's grandfather, who she said emigrated from Germany to the United States. His middle name was Edward, she said.Margaret said the family will always have a good story to share on New Year's Day.“It was actually a pretty good experience,” Margaret said.
