2024's 1st babies born at Allegheny Health Network, UPMC hospitals

Three babies were born within a minute of each other shortly after the new year at UPMC and Allegheny Health Network hospitals.

Two of the three babies were born at 12:45 a.m. at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, officials said.

Couple Jonathan Mrockosky and Emily Helbling of Zelionople had a daughter, Madison. The baby girl weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was nearly 21 inches long.

Hebling, 32, said she was not due until Jan. 4. She went into labor Sunday afternoon.

She and her husband were not clock-watching but noticed that Madison arrived shortly after midnight and might be one of the region’s first babies of 2024.

“We were joking about it but did not think she would be the first,” she said. “It will be a little fun fact for the future.”

Hebling said she anticipates getting home Tuesday or Wednesday, where Madison will join her sister Annabell, 2.

At the same time, Juan Lopez Brito and Glendy Gonzalez of Pittsburgh had a son, Eduardo.

Eduardo weighed in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces and was 18 inches long.

A minute later, north of Pittsburgh, a new baby came shortly after the New Year for a Beaver couple at Allegheny Health Network’s Wexford Hospital.

Samantha and Billy Polizotto of Beaver welcomed a healthy baby girl, Capria Josephine, at 12:46 a.m. New Year’s Day. The baby weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and was a little over 18 inches long. She is the first baby born at an AHN hospital in the Greater Pittsburgh area, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Samantha Polizotto, 30, said she was due on New Year’s Day and went into labor Sunday afternoon. This is her third childbirth and the family’s fourth child. Awaiting Capria at home are Roman, 11; Sonny, 10; and Everleigh, 3, she said.

“This is the fourth and final one,” Polizotto said.

She said she will have time to spend with her newborn as she is on family leave until April. She works as an inspector at the Shell petrochemical plant near Monaca.

As part of the celebration, the Polizotto family will receive a year of free diapers from the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank and a birthday gift basket with comfort items filled by AHN caregivers. Capria also will receive a free “Lessons for a Lifetime” swim sessions from Pittsburgh’s Goldfish Swim Schools.