First baby of 2019 born at home in lieu of hospital

Photo courtesy of Cecilia Tsakim

DOWNEY - In a surprising twist, the first Downey baby of 2019 was born not at a hospital, but within the comforts of home.

Ozzy Tsakim-Pena was born to parents Cecilia and Franklin Tsakim and 2-year-old big sister Lita on Jan. 1 at 7:23 p.m. He was 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 22 inches long.

Tsakim says that she chose an at-home birth with the aid of a midwife to avoid some of the stressors that can come with an at-hospital delivery.

“It was better that nobody was bullying me. In the end it happened so fast,” said Tsakim. “Everything worked out; I did birth in the tub.”

Lisa Marie Oxenham served as Tsakim’s midwife.

Now a month later, Tsakim says that both she and Ozzy are healthy and doing well.