A 19-year-old Tamaqua woman is the first to give birth in 2022 at the Family Birth and Newborn Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill.

Mackenza Kunkel said Maylynn Marie Eberts was born at 6:05 p.m. Sunday, weighing 7 pounds 5.6 ounces. She has blue eyes.

The proud mother said she is still tired after having a 2½-hour labor.

“It was rough,” she said.

Her due date was Jan. 11.

The inspiration for the name comes from a dream she had after she learned she was pregnant. The middle name is one relatives of both sides of the family have.

Daulton Eberts, 19, is her fiance. Sunday morning he drove her to the hospital as she was having back pain. He didn’t expect they would stay.

“I was a little nervous,” he said.

“She’s very stubborn,” Mackenza said.

Family members have not been in to see her because only two visitors are permitted. Daulton didn’t think it fair to only have one parent in, so they have been talking on the phone and sending photos via cellphone.

Mike Peckman, director of marketing and public affairs for the hospital, provided the couple with a gift basket containing stuffed animals, blankets and other items from the administration and colleagues of the hospital.