Reid Health’s first baby of 2023 is already winning races

Jan. 2, 2023 -- Nova Madison is already doing things faster than her peers. Her mother, Egypt Minor, wasn't the first person to go into labor at Reid Health Hospital in 2023, but Nova was the first baby to be born.

A preemie like her big sister, Nova even managed to make her entrance a week before, being born at 35 weeks and a day compared to 1-year-old Kimora's 36 weeks and a day.

"I got her out in one push," Minor said.

Nova became Reid Health's first baby of the year at 2:53 a.m. on Jan. 2 after about nine hours of labor.

"I started getting contractions, but I thought let's just wait and see. Then they started coming really close," Minor said.

Nova Madison was born at 2:53 a.m. on Jan. 2 at 16 inches long and weighing 4 pounds, 10.1 ounces.

After arriving at the hospital, things moved quickly.

"I didn't even get into a gown before they checked me and they were like, 'Yeah, you're staying.' I was like, 'OK, guess we're having a baby then,'" Minor said. "Time went by so fast."

The Richmond resident knew another mother-to-be was already in labor so it was no sure thing Nova would be the first baby of the new year.

"We were racing all night," Minor said.

"It was a race to the New Year," said Garious Madison, Nova's father.

Nova was born at 16 inches long and weighing 4 pounds, 10.1 ounces.