Glendale Adventist Medical Center welcomed its first baby of the year at 12:14 a.m. Thursday — a 5.65-pound girl named Breanna Hamichart Kumwongsa.
Breanna’s mother, Manowan Hamichart, was rushed from her Temple City home to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday after her water broke.
After more than 15 hours and an epidural shot to relieve labor pains, Manowan Hamichart gave birth to Breanna as her sister, Manasawee Hamichart, and a friend provided support inside the hospital room.
“I am happy and impressed because she is my first baby,” Manowan Hamichart said. “I have been waiting and wanting to see what she looks like.”
Manowan Hamichart, 31, picked out a pink-and-white-striped jumpsuit for Breanna to wear before they left the hospital Friday.
“It’s a miracle because she was in my stomach for so long,” she said. “She moved and kicked all the time.”
Manasawee Hamichart also took special care in selecting Breanna’s name, which she said meant high and noble.
Breanna, whose parents were born in Taiwan, had already begun exhibiting her behavior Friday and cried only when she needed her diaper changed or was hungry.
“She is friendly but strong,” Manowan Hamichart said.
Breanna’s father was in Taiwan, where he owns and operates a small business, Manowan Hamichart said. But she e-mailed photos of Breanna to her husband and relatives.
He will likely visit the United States in February to see Breanna, Manowan Hamichart said.
Manasawee Hamichart was relieved her niece was born healthy.
“I am so excited,” she said. “[Breanna] is the first niece.”
The hospital will commemorate Breanna’s birth by placing a baby block in the lobby of the Maternity Center, hospital spokeswoman Alicia Gonzalez said. The block is placed on the lobby’s wall along with other baby blocks that have the names of infants who were born at the hospital.
The blocks are generally sold, but the hospital will donate the block to Manowan Hamichart and Breanna because she was the year’s first baby.
“I just want her to be a good baby girl for me and for her daddy,” Manowan Hamichart said.
