Sisters Welcome Babies Hours Apart at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx
The Mexican-American sisters share their extraordinary birth experience
Feb 25, 2026
In a remarkable coincidence, sisters Jenny Aguilar and Wendy Aguilar gave birth to healthy babies just hours apart at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx.
Wendy Aguilar, a barista, discovered her pregnancy just two days after her sister Jenny shared the news.
“My sister had called me and showed me her test, and it was positive, and two days later, I took the test out of curiosity and for fun, because I wasn’t really having any symptoms, and the test came out positive,” Wendy recalled.
The sisters supported each other throughout their pregnancies, frequently visiting each other’s homes to talk and satisfy cravings together.
“We would always come to each other’s houses. We’ll talk about our symptoms, or we’ll get each other’s cravings,” Wendy said.
Jenny was the first to arrive at the hospital for an induction, delivering her daughter, Leilani Celeste, at 1:41 a.m., weighing 8 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 20 inches.
Just hours later, at 8:38 a.m., Wendy welcomed her son Nicholas Valentine, weighing 12 pounds, 13.7 ounces, and measuring 18.5 inches.
“It was a little scary, because since I was the one who gave birth first, you know, I was scared, because she was able to hear me scream,” Jenny said. “But it was also good, you know, so we were able to know that everything is okay between our babies.”
Jenny reflected on the unique timing: “It was pretty funny, because I was there first, because I was getting induced, and then to come and see my sister come in later on having contractions.”
Staff Nurse Latoya Palmer of the postpartum unit noted the rarity of the event. “This does not happen very often, it is a rare occasion,” Palmer said. “It was quite fascinating to be part of this special occasion for this family experience.”
North Central Bronx Hospital accommodated the sisters by placing them in adjacent rooms, making it easier for family members to visit both new mothers.
The Aguilar sisters’ story reflects the hospital’s multigenerational legacy of care. “We are proud to have delivered multigenerational care for over 50 years. Our community is deeply embedded in who we are as a team,” said Dr. Neneh Kamara, Director of Nursing for Maternal Child Health Services. “Caring for our community means caring for family — ensuring every patient receives the highest quality care they deserve.”
The hospital’s Maternal Child Services saw 935 deliveries in 2025. As a Baby-Friendly designated facility, North Central Bronx Hospital is committed to providing the highest standard of care for infant feeding.
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of receiving this prestigious designation on April 19, 2016, and the hospital has successfully completed its Baby-Friendly reaccreditation.
Melissa Creighton, Certified Registered Nurse Midwife, emphasized the program’s community impact: “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.”
The sisters’ partners, parents, and extended family members were present to celebrate the joyous occasion. Wendy is already planning future adventures for the cousins, including zoo trips with matching outfits.
Already looking ahead, Jenny shared their plans: “The main thing we talk about is, like the outfits that we get to put on them, the matching outfits they get to wear, and talking about how we’re going to celebrate their birthday, since they’re so close.”
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Contact: Rawle Titus, NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx, 332-259-2512
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi is a 457-bed teaching hospital affiliated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The facility has earned numerous Center of Excellence designations, accreditation, and recognition for its renowned Level 1 Trauma Center, Burn Center, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, regional Stroke Center, Snakebite Treatment Center, Breast Health Center, Bariatric Surgery Center, and Cancer Service. The facility also offers the region’s only multi-person hyperbaric chamber, allowing up to nine patients to dive together at one time. Jacobi’s Ambulatory Care Pavilion is a stunning complement to its inpatient acute care, allowing staff to provide patients with high-quality service in a modern, state-of-the-art environment. For more information visit https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/jacobi/.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx
NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx is a member facility of the New York City Health + Hospitals system, one of eleven acute care facilities within the City of New York. A 215-bed community hospital, North Central Bronx Hospital specializes in women’s and children’s services. It also provides Behavioral Health acute and ambulatory care. Its busy outpatient department has led the way in community-based care delivered in a compassionate and culturally-appropriate manner. Its Labor and Delivery service safely brings more than 1,000 babies into the world each year. North Central Bronx is committed to providing safe, high-quality medical care for any and all in need. For more information visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/north-central-bronx/.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus Health —all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.