First local New Year’s baby born Jan. 1. 

First local New Year’s baby born Jan. 1. 

LUDINGTON — The first baby born in Mason County at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital is Waylon Dean Yoder, who entered the world at 2:01 p.m. today weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 22.5 inches long. Yoder is the son of Wilmer J. Yoder and Regina R. Yoder of Scottville and has an older brother who is nearly 2-years-old.

Waylon will have two stories to tell about his birth: that he was Mason County’s first baby of 2021 and that he was born in the midst of a global pandemic.

“I was hoping the pandemic would be over by the time I delivered,” Regina said.

“All of our patients in the Family Birthing Center right now get rapid tests for the COVID-19 virus when they come in,” said Cindi Burden, registered nurse, who works as charge nurse in the Birthing Center at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. We wear masks around every patient, of course, and all of the PPE (personal protection equipment) that is required depending on each patient’s clinical status.”

Wilmer and Regina said they haven’t really given much thought to the pandemic or what effect it might have on their pregnancy and delivery. Wilmer said the pandemic and healthcare restrictions related to it didn’t affect them when it came to Regina’s prenatal appointments because he wasn’t able to attend them due to work.

For now, the Yoders are giving all their attention to the newest member of their family.

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