Twins set record at Samaritan

Elizabeth E. and Jacob L. Bush helped make history at Samaritan Medical Center last week: they were one of five sets of twins born at the Watertown hospital in a three-day span.

Mom Kelly E. Bush said she knew more than one set of twins would be born about the same time, but she had no idea there would be five. Dr. Walter Dodard, who runs the private obstetrical/gynecological practice Comprehensive Women's Health Services, 622 Washington St., was her physician.

"There was a girl, and she goes to Dr. Dodard, and every Wednesday I would see her, so I knew there was another patient of his having twins," Mrs. Bush said. "When they took me into the operating room to deliver, that other girl was at the desk checking in, so I knew he'd have a busy night."

Mrs. Bush's daughter was born at 9:36 p.m. May 21, weighing 4 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 18.5 inches long. Her son Jacob was born six minutes later and weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces. He was 20 inches long.

After describing what was a "pretty smooth pregnancy," Mrs. Bush said she delivered the two babies naturally, three weeks early.

Mrs. Bush said she and her husband, Jason J., Natural Bridge, are ecstatic to be a part of history at Samaritan Medical Center. Sandy M. Foster, the hospital's maternal child health manager, said she's never seen anything like it in her 26-year career.

"This is the most that I've ever seen, and I've been here a long time," she said. "You never know what's going to walk through the door here."

In 2008, 24 sets of twins were born at Samaritan Medical Center. The most twins born in one month that year was four sets in January. Every month had at least one set of twins born, Mrs. Foster said.

So far in 2009, 14 sets of twins have been born, with eight sets in May, as of Friday afternoon.

Mrs. Foster said that when she came in May 22 to look at reports, she recalled saying, "Wow, I don't think I've ever seen that."

"We were super busy," Mrs. Foster said. "It was good to see. It's always nice to see more babies. With all the tragedies in the world, and bad news, it's nice to have a happy story."

"Keep 'em coming," Mrs. Foster said.

As for the Bush twins having the same birthday as another set of twins, Mrs. Bush said it's interesting they'll share a birthday. Girls Tatum G. and Melanie B. Wiley also were born May 21, to Katherine and Matthew Wiley, Cape Vincent.

Mrs. Bush said her husband was off work last week to help take care of the babies, and she also received helped from 2-year-old son Mitchell J.

"He loves to pet their heads, and he calls his sister 'Lizzy Bug,'" Mrs. Bush said.

Other sets of twins born about the same time as the Bush and Wiley twins include Ava M. and Olivia A. Elliott-Cruz, born May 20 to Kristy Cruz and Craig Elliott, Watertown. Garrett B. and Jocelyn E. Anthony, children of Ashley Warley and Mark Anthony, Philadelphia, were born May 22, as were Shane J. and Gwenn M. Baldwin, children of Shelagh and Jeffrey Baldwin, Gouverneur.