On New Year’s Eve, Charlesetta Jackson Irvin, who was 27 weeks pregnant with her fourth child, was going about her normal work routine when she began to experience what she thought were Braxton Hicks contractions. She got home from work at 10:00 PM and took a hot bath while her husband, Taijh Irvin, was setting off fireworks outside with their older children. Unable to get comfortable, Charlesetta soon realized something wasn’t quite right when she discovered she was bleeding after a particularly intense contraction. Having miscarried twins the previous February, Charlesetta and her husband immediately rushed to Woman’s Hospital around 11:50 PM to check on the baby only to be told Charlesetta was 6 centimeters dilated and was in labor.

Charlesetta was not due to deliver until March 31 and was sent to the OR in anticipation of complications due to the premature delivery. After a little more than an hour of labor, Ta’myjah Irvin entered the world at 1:13 AM as the first baby born at Woman’s Hospital on New Year’s Day, 2024. Ta’myjah was born at 27 weeks, weighing 2 pounds, 3.3 ounces, and was ushered to the NICU where she will be cared for as she continues to develop.

Since delivery, baby Ta’myjah has started gaining weight and at 2 pounds, 4 ounces, she is getting stronger every day. The Irvins led us into her room in the NICU where Ta’myjah immediately began to fuss upon feeling their presence. She could only be calmed once she grasped her parents’ fingers.

The Irvins hope to bring Ta’myjah home around her original due date of March 31. Until then, they will continue to visit her every chance they have and show her how loved she is.