Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., became the first member of Congress in more than a decade to give birth when her son was born over the weekend - a month early.
Cole McMorris Rodgers was born at 3:14 a.m. on Sunday at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, her office said Monday.
The baby, due on May 29, was four weeks premature but was said to be doing well. He weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces and was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to address minor complications, said spokeswoman Jill Strait.
The former Cathy McMorris, 37, married Brian Rodgers last year and this was her first child.
"Brian and I are overjoyed by the birth of our son," McMorris Rodgers said in a statement. "Although he arrived early, both the baby and I are doing well and recovering at the hospital. We look forward to soon being able to bring our son home."
She plans to take at least a month off, Strait said.
McMorris Rodgers is just the fifth woman to give birth while serving in Congress, according to research by her aides. All have been members of the House.
Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, D-Calif., was believed to be the first when she gave birth to a daughter in 1973. The last member of Congress to give birth while in office was then-Rep. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., whose twin sons were born in June 1996.
McMorris Rodgers learned she was pregnant while campaigning last summer for a second term. She chose not to reveal the pregnancy until after the election, which she won easily.