Marshall couple’s second child is Oaklawn's first birth of 2022

Oaklawn’s first baby of 2022 is Kailani Zoe Rodriguez, born at 2:48 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1, in the Oaklawn Birth Center. The child is the daughter of Lyann Vega-Santiago and Kevin Rodriguez, both of Marshall.

Little Kailani weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces at birth, and measured 18½ inches long, Oaklawn’s nursing staff reported.

The child is the second baby for the couple, who learned of Oaklawn’s reputation for newborn care while researching the subject on the internet.

“Everything was good” about the experience at the Birth Center, according to Kailani’s mother. “We appreciated the nurses and the staff, who helped us so much.”

The hospital staff presented the family with a gift basket containing items for the child and family. Included were a baby blanket and swaddle blankets, outfits and shoes for the baby, a crib sheet, a candle, a package of teething items, wipes, books, a musical toy and items to help the parents mark their child’s milestones.

Oaklawn’s renovated Birth Center opened in 2012. Based on the number of deliveries since then, staff expect to welcome about 650 newborns during 2022.

At Oaklawn, a new mother remains in one comfortable, homelike room from labor through the time she takes her baby home. Each of the 11 private rooms for labor, delivery, recovery and post-partum care is decorated in soft colors and features a private bathroom and shower, a rocking chair and other amenities to make the mother and baby feel at ease.

Oaklawn’s infant security system allows the nursing team to monitor the location of each baby in the Birth Center, which is a locked unit monitored by staff members.

Experienced obstetrical nurses are always prepared to answer questions or respond to any need, and can provide information about natural relaxation, breathing techniques and pain medication. The Birth Center also offers pre-natal and childbirth education classes.

For additional information about the Oaklawn Birth Center and its services, go to www.oaklawnhospital.org or call (269) 789-3929.