AU Medical Center’s first baby of 2021 born on New Year’s Day

By Cody Prescott’s own admission, he never let his emotions take control of him during his wife’s pregnancy. But when his son Cash was born, all of that changed.

“Once he was here and I held him, it was like a whole new ballgame … I couldn’t control my feelings then,” Cody said. “That was a feeling that I’ve never felt before.”

The Prescotts were scheduled for labor induction on Jan. 14, but at their last appointment, they were told Cash was ready to be born. He made his arrival at 7:34 a.m. on New Year’s Day, weighing 5 pounds, 3 ounces.

He was the first baby born in 2021 at Augusta University Medical Center. The hospital gave the new family a first-born basket with a diaper bag, a stuffed Jaguar toy, a Christmas ornament, teething rings, a bottle, blanket, baby hat, AU Jaguars onesie and a burp cloth.

Cash was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit due to a heart condition that was discovered during the 20th pregnancy week.

“Once we found out about Cash’s heart condition, we were transferred to AU,” Corrie Prescott said. “I loved it during my pregnancy … I had to come for weekly scans and they were always nice and understanding, and they always explained everything to me.

“And then for New Year’s when he was born, it was awesome,” Corrie Prescott added. “It literally felt like they were our family … They sat there next to us the whole time and walked us through everything and explained everything to us. They were super.”

Cody Prescott said his wife has dreamed of being a parent her entire life. They both have had a lot of experience with kids but knew having their own would be different. They were originally told they wouldn’t be able to hold Cash after he was born, but after checking his heart and lungs, the new parents got to hold the little bundle of joy.

“Oh, it was awesome! It was really awesome and special,” Corrie Prescott said.