FEATURE STORY

Introducing Theodore

First Baby Born at New Children's Hospital

Theodore Jon Lyle Guenther waited an extra week to make his entrance into the world, and it certainly was a memorable one.

“He was actually due on the 21st, so I think he waited it out,” joked his mom, Jessica Zakoor.

It turns out, it was worth the wait, as Theodore was the very first baby born in Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. He was born at 2:32 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, weighing five pounds, two ounces.

Theodore’s parents, Jessica Zakoor and Layne Guenther from Saskatoon, were greeted with a very warm welcome to the new hospital on Sunday morning, after the facility officially opened to maternal and pediatric patients.

“It feels amazing,” said Zakoor, reflecting on being the first to give birth in the new hospital. “[Sunday] was quite the experience being in labour and coming in and everyone cheering us on, it was special. “

The Mosaic Maternal Care Centre on the third floor of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital is home to an innovative new model of care, known as Single Room Maternal Care. Now moms-to-be, just like Zakoor, labour, deliver and stay with their new baby and supportive partner all in the same private room until they are ready to leave the hospital.

In honour of the first baby, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation gifted Theodore’s family with a basket full of diapers, baby wipes, teddy bears, a Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital onesie, a piggy bank, snacks and a custom Hillberg & Berk necklace.