Tomah Health had a historic Leap Day when four babies were born Feb. 29. Hospital officials said of the two boys and two girls only one was a planned cesarean section. “It was pretty amazing that we had the opportunity to have four babies in one day, let alone on Leap Day,” said Women’s Health director Carrie Lord. The last Leap Day baby was born in 2012 at the former Tomah Memorial Hospital.
Lord said department staff was ready for the special day. “Our staff was amazing; they made every patient feel like they were the only one here and created an experience that only we can do.”
Kalie Johnson of Elroy had the first birth when her daughter, Akira arrived at 12:30 a.m. Feb. 29. “I think she was being stubborn because I had a little pep talk before hand, but she waited 30 minutes and arrived on Leap Day. I think we’re going to celebrate her birthday both Feb. 28 and March 1,” said Johnson about future birthdays.
Efren and Maria Barajas of Sparta welcomed their daughter, Sofia at 7:37 a.m. Sofia was the only planned birth as a scheduled cesarean section. “Sofia was born on Leap Day, and we will probably celebrate every four years with a big bang,” said Maria.
Keshawn Jackson and Kayelyn Hadley of Necedah welcomed their son, Kamari at 5:01 p.m. “He was two weeks early so we did not plan for him to be born on Leap Day, but he decided that’s when he’s coming. We are probably going to celebrate Feb. 28 every year,” Kayelyn added.
All three moms said the Leap Day birthday was very exciting. “I think it was pretty amazing; once every four years, I might buy a lottery ticket,” added Barajas.
The odds of having a Leap Day baby are 1 in 1,461. “It’s great to see something a little bit out of the ordinary like this,” said Lord. “Staff was pretty excited. They were hoping we could have multiple births on Leap Day, so it came to fruition.” She said the most babies born on a single day at the hospital occurred September 5, 2023, when five babies arrived.