St. Mary's Welcomes First Baby of the New Year

At one day old, Abel Bigler doesn’t know he already has a special honor: he was the first baby born at St. Mary’s Health Care System in 2014.

Abel Bigler, the first child of Bethany and Elijah Bigler of Jefferson, was born at 8:06 a.m. on Jan. 2, a healthy 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and 20½ inches long. 

He was almost born too soon to be St. Mary’s first baby of the new year. Bethany, who had experienced Braxton-Hicks contractions frequently late in her pregnancy, had come to the hospital on Tuesday thinking she was in actual labor, but an exam showed she was experiencing more “false contractions.” Abel was not yet on his way.

On Wednesday, though, the contractions came back, stronger than ever. And when Bethany’s water broke, she and Elijah rushed to St. Mary’s. About an hour later, Abel was born.

“He’s a beautiful baby,” Bethany said. “We couldn’t be happier.”