South Texas Health System Edinburg Welcomes the Birth of Rare Leap Day Baby
South Texas Health System Edinburg was host to a special miracle of life with the birth of Little Leon Elizondo, who was born on the afternoon of February 29, also known as Leap Day.
Leon’s birth is among the rarest of them all as only about five million people worldwide have been born on Leap Day, a day that only comes around once every four years. A person has a one in 1,461 chance of being born on Leap Day, per Parents.com, and Leon was among those lucky ones this year.
Weighing in at 9 lbs. 10 oz., Leon was delivered at 1:20 p.m. at The Maternity Center after an approximate 10-hour labor — arriving a little earlier than his original due date of March 4. For parents Lyzette Garza and Lecter Luna, giving birth on one of the rarest of days was nothing compared to the feeling of being a new parent to their little bundle of joy.
“I’m tired, but excited,” Lyzette said about being a new mom. “It just feels like he was born on any day because we’d be just as thrilled to welcome him into the world if he were born on March 1!”
Still, the new mom acknowledges that the family still hasn’t quite figured out how they will celebrate future birthdays. However, Leon’s dad offered a solution: “A birthday party every four years,” he joked.
As always, staff members at The Maternity Center at STHS Edinburg were overjoyed to celebrate the arrival of the baby with the family. To help make the day feel extra special for them, they gifted Little Leon with an adorable onesie.
Maternity Services at South Texas Health System
Learn more about the maternity and women’s services at South Texas Health System Locations, including Edinburg and McAllen.
The Maternity Center, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, is proud to have reported a record number of deliveries in 2023. Last year, the facility’s Labor and Delivery Department reported a total of 1,189 births, breaking the previous year’s record of 1,035 births at the facility.
The number of births in 2023 represents a 202% increase in deliveries since the relaunch of women’s services at STHS Edinburg in 2014. That year, the facility reported 393 births.
Reflecting its dedication to providing quality, compassionate women’s healthcare, South Texas Health System was recently honored with the 2023 Five-Star Recipient award by Healthgrades for C-Section Delivery, Hysterectomy and Gynecology Procedures.