The Learning Channel to feature local birth on TV series

WARWICK-Another star is born. Congratulations to Allison & Chip McKay on the birth of their beautiful new baby girl, Nyla Skye, who arrived by C-Section at St. Anthony Community Hospital's Kennedy Birthing Center on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Nyla Skye weighed in at 7-lbs. 1 oz and was 19 ½ inches tall. Right now, she is very anxious to get to know her older brother Alex 2 ½. Besides Daddy Chip and Grandma McKay, there was a special group of visitors on hand to witness this big event. A camera crew from The Learning Channel (TLC), an offshoot of television's popular Discovery Channel, had received permission from the family and the hospital to record the birth and interview staff, physicians and family members. The TLC crew will return in about six weeks to follow-up and film the family settled at home with the new baby. The unscripted "Baby Story," exact time and date to be announced, will air on TLC sometime during the winter. TLC is available in more than 84 million homes throughout the United States and in 7.3 million homes in Canada. Allison McKay had learned about the TLC "Baby Story" program from a friend who had recently given birth. She contacted the producer and supplied the requested photographs and other information. There are no prizes or other compensation for the half-hour television program but said Allison McKay, "This will provide our family with a lasting memory of this happy event." The TLC crew was familiar with St. Anthony Community Hospital. They had also been on hand on June 8, 2004 when Amy Brennan of Vernon gave birth to a baby girl, Gabriella, 7 lbs. 4 oz., at the hospital's Kennedy Birthing Center. The program aired in September. Allison and Chip McKay praised the Kennedy Birthing Center team of Linda McGinley; Jane Pavlu; Cindy Pascal; and Annmarie Callahan and also Warwick's Community OB - GYN physicians: Sally Levine and Jim Shanahan as well as Anesthesiologist Dr. Tomi Prvulovic, for making this a great experience for all concerned. "We're very happy with St. Anthony Community Hospital and the Kennedy Birthing Center," said Allison. "All the nurses were great. It's been a wonderful experience." More than 500 babies are born each year at St. Anthony Community Hospital. The Kennedy Birthing Center is a state-of-the-art maternity unit, offering many new options and amenities. It combines modern technology with a comfortable, family oriented atmosphere in beautifully decorated, single birthing suites. The Kennedy Birthing Center was built to provide homelike surroundings for a more natural labor, delivery and recovery right in the same birthing suite. The unit also has a C-Section Suite, a large, cheerful nursery and several gynecological rooms. "We're honored that TLC selected this wonderful family and our hospital for its television program," said Leah Cerkvenik, RN, executive vice president/administrator of St. Anthony Community Hospital. "We're proud of the warmth and expert skills of our staff. Having a baby is one of life's most joyous experiences. Our goal at St. Anthony Community Hospital's Kennedy Birthing Center is to make childbirth a wonderful experience for everyone involved." St. Anthony Community Hospital provides comprehensive care with an emphasis on family education. Maternity and newborn care classes on subjects such as Lamaze, parenting, infant and child safety, CPR and breastfeeding are taught by expert, certified instructors to help families prepare for pregnancy, birth and life with a new baby. St. Anthony's offers a physician referral service and a Maternity Consultant is available at 987-5300. For more information, visit the hospital's web site at www.StAnthonyCommunityHosp.org