In a remarkable event, sisters Jenny Aguilar and Wendy Aguilar welcomed their babies just hours apart at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx. This coincidental timing has sparked joy and excitement within their family and the hospital staff. Wendy gave birth to her son, Nicholas Valentine, shortly after her sister delivered her daughter, Leilani Celeste.
Wendy, a barista, discovered her pregnancy only two days after Jenny shared the news of her own impending motherhood. “My sister had called me and showed me her test, and it was positive. Two days later, I took the test out of curiosity, and it came out positive,” Wendy recalled. The sisters often supported each other during their pregnancies, visiting frequently to share cravings and discuss their experiences. Wendy noted, “We would always come to each other’s houses to talk about our symptoms.”
The family’s excitement grew as they prepared for the deliveries. Jenny was the first to arrive at the hospital for an induction, successfully giving birth to Leilani Celeste at 1:41 a.m. She weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 20 inches. Just hours later, at 8:38 a.m., Wendy gave birth to her son Nicholas, who weighed an impressive 12 pounds, 13.7 ounces and measured 18.5 inches.
Jenny expressed a mix of anxiety and excitement about being the first to give birth. “It was a little scary because I was the one who gave birth first, and she was able to hear me scream. But it was also good, knowing that everything was okay between our babies,” she said. The unique timing of their births added a layer of humor for Jenny as she reflected, “It was pretty funny because I was there first, getting induced, and then I saw my sister come in later having contractions.”
The staff at North Central Bronx Hospital noted the rarity of this occurrence. Latoya Palmer, a staff nurse in the postpartum unit, remarked, “This does not happen very often; it is a rare occasion. It was quite fascinating to be part of this special experience for the family.” To further support the sisters, the hospital arranged for them to stay in adjacent rooms, allowing family members to visit both new mothers easily.
The Aguilar sisters’ experience exemplifies the hospital’s commitment to multigenerational care. According to Dr. Neneh Kamara, Director of Nursing for Maternal Child Health Services, “We are proud to have delivered multigenerational care for over 50 years. Our community is deeply embedded in who we are as a team.” The Maternal Child Services at North Central Bronx Hospital facilitated 935 deliveries in 2025 and has achieved a Baby-Friendly designation, which emphasizes the highest standards in infant feeding care.
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the hospital receiving its Baby-Friendly designation on April 19, 2016. Melissa Creighton, a Certified Registered Nurse Midwife at the facility, highlighted the program’s importance: “The midwives at North Central Bronx Hospital are integral to the fabric of our community. Their commitment to respectful, culturally sensitive care ensures that every family receives the support they need for a safe and healthy start.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx is part of a larger health care system that serves over a million New Yorkers annually. The organization operates more than 70 patient care locations across the city, providing vital health services to diverse communities. Its commitment to high-quality medical care ensures that families receive the support they need during significant life events, such as childbirth.
For more information about NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx, visit their website at nychealthandhospitals.org/north-central-bronx/.
