Mary Jo Peters gave birth to Caitlyn O’Brien over three decades ago at 3:16 p.m. on March 16, and her daughter did the same this month with son Shawn O’Brien
Credit: UMass Memorial Health
NEED TO KNOW
- Members across three generations of one family all share the same birthday
- Mary Jo Peters gave birth to Caitlyn O’Brien over three decades ago at 3:16 p.m. on March 16, and her daughter did the same this month with son Shawn O’Brien
- “We couldn’t believe it. It felt like a moment that was simply meant to be,” Caitlyn’s primary obstetrics (OB) nurse said
A newborn baby boy shares the same birthday and birth time as his mom — and her mother before her.
Members across three generations of one family all share the same birthday, March 16, and were born at 3:16 p.m. local time, according to a news release from UMass Memorial Health.
Mary Jo Peters was born on that date and at that time years ago. Later, she welcomed a daughter, Caitlyn O’Brien, on the same date and at the same time.
Now, Caitlyn, 32, gave birth to a baby, a son named Shawn O’Brien, and coincidence struck again, as the new addition was also born on March 16 at 3:16 p.m.
"We feel very blessed that this little guy decided to join us on what’s a pretty special day for my mom and me,” said Caitlyn.
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Credit: UMass Memorial Health
When Caitlyn gave birth on March 16, she and her husband had only picked out a name for a girl. When they learned they had a boy, grandma Mary Jo explained that the couple had pondered what to do, before a hospital worker influenced them.
“One of the nurses came in after the birth and read the Bible verse, John 3:16 … and we thought, 'Maybe we should name him John?' " she explained. (Shawn is the Irish form of John.)
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Jeannie Kauper, Caitlyn’s primary obstetrics (OB) nurse, said she and others at UMass Memorial Health were shocked by the repetitive nature of the birth dates and birth times.
“We couldn’t believe it. It felt like a moment that was simply meant to be," she said.
Credit: UMass Memorial Health
Mary Jo gave birth to daughter Caitlyn at UMass Memorial Health over three decades ago. Shawn was welcomed into the world at the same medical facility this month.
Looking back at her daughter's birth, Mary Jo said, "At first, I wanted Caitlyn to have her own birthday, but the nurse said, ‘This is the best birthday gift you’ll ever get.' "
"And now I have another great birthday present,” added the proud grandmother.
Caitlyn — who also has a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son — said the newest addition to her family is "going to add to the chaos, which will be great."
"We have a lot of March birthdays in our family, so just adding one more to the bunch,” she continued.
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