Caseton Bull is Calhoun County's first baby of 2017 born at Oaklawn

MARSHALL – Calhoun County’s first baby of 2017 is Caseton James Bull, born at 7:57 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, in Oaklawn Hospital. The child is the son of Kayla Tarrell and Gary Bull of Bronson.

The parents and child received a celebratory gift basket from the hospital in addition to the service that families of newborns have come to expect at Oaklawn’s Birth Center.

Little Caseton weighed 8 pounds and 6 ounces at birth, and measured 20¾ inches long, Oaklawn’s nursing staff reported.

Caseton’s mother Kayla Tarrell said the parents chose Oaklawn because of the hospital’s success rate for vaginal births by mothers who previously have given birth by Caesarean section. Her first child, Carson, was born in 2015 in that fashion.

Tarrell praised Oaklawn’s staff for its helpfulness.

“They’re really nice and always just so there for me,” she said. “They answered every question that I had. They’re really hands-on.

“It’s just a very good hospital,” she added.

The hospital staff presented the family with a gift basket containing items for the child and family. Included were a hooded baby blanket, a bib, a stuffed animal, a first-aid kit, cleaning items, a pacifier, a receiving blanket and a coffee mug and gift certificates from Ella’s Cafe at the hospital.

Oaklawn’s renovated Birth Center opened in 2012. Based on the number of deliveries since then, staff expect to welcome more than 800 newborns during 2017.

At Oaklawn, a new mother remains in one comfortable, homelike room from labor through the time she takes her baby home. Fathers, support persons and siblings are welcome at all times, and other family members and friends may visit during normal visiting hours.

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. Some rooms have whirlpool tubs.

Direct access to the Birth Center is controlled by a computer-controlled security system, permitting staff to observe visitors visually before they may enter or leave, or lock all of the center’s doors automatically. The nursing station features a code-alert monitoring system for the electronic monitoring of each infant’s location in the center.

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 Birth Center and its services, go to www.oaklawnhospital.org or call (269) 789-3929.