ROCKFORD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Last year was especially difficult for health care workers, but there was a silver lining at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.
"We always joked there was something in the water, because we were all pregnant at the same time," laughed Dr. Teona Cozianu-Cotan, MD, OB/GYN.
Cozianu-Cotan was one of seven employees within the same department to have a new baby last year.
"We all work in the birthing center at OSF. We all delivered between February and July. I was the last one to have a baby. Nobody knew when we got pregnant that the pandemic would be coming and it would be a difficult year for all of us, but this was definitely a good thing that happened to us during that year," she said.
Dr. Cozianu-Cotan, four registered nurses and two technicians all had new babies. She even delivered her co-worker's baby while she was pregnant.
"We always joked about who was going to go into labor first. I was just happy to be able to be part of that experience and I was there for her at that moment," the doctor said.
Dr. Cozianu-Cotan added that "the experience was difficult being pregnant during the pandemic, but having my co-workers in the same boat helped me through it. We had several baby showers even though it was different and we couldn't be together."
One male nurse even welcomed his own child when his wife gave birth during the same time.
More than 15 months later, the babies will finally meet for the first time this week with a special pandemic delayed celebration.
"My baby Luca is walking and babbling and very active now. I can't wait to see him with all the other babies. We haven't had the chance to meet in the same place with the babies, so tomorrow will be an emotional and exciting time for us. I'm so happy to be able to see them all in the same place, playing together," Dr. Cozianu-Cotan said.
Dr. Cozianu-Cotan hopes the babies will be friends forever, given their unique circumstances.
Luca, Brielle, Adelyn, Cole, Raelynn, Isabella, and Valerie will meet for the first time at OSF Saint Anthony, located at 5666 E. State St., in Rockford, on Thursday.
"2020 was definitely a year to remember for more reasons than one. Luca chose a difficult year to be born," she laughed. "I hope he keeps in touch with the other babies that were born this year."
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