A Special Delivery for Memorial Care in Chatham

Delivering a baby in a parking lot wasn’t in Destiny Hook’s plans. But when her fourth child made his entry into the world a little sooner than anticipated, there was a Memorial healthcare team ready to help.

That July morning, it became clear the baby wasn’t waiting to make it to a Springfield hospital. Hook’s water broke at a busy intersection just in front of Memorial Care in Chatham.

“We were definitely trying to make it to Memorial Care,” said the 33-year-old Chatham mom. “I had been there a couple weeks earlier, and they were really good to me then.”

The staff at Memorial Care in Chatham was just settling into their workday early that morning when a car driven by Hook’s sister sped into the parking lot. Family practice physician Christina Scheibler-Ventress, MD, had arrived a little early to catch up on paperwork.

Little did she know she was about to deliver a baby for the first time in 20 years.

A team effort started at the front desk. Patient service specialists Denise Callarman, LuAnn Crow and Dustie Rohdeman were organizing schedules when a man ran up to the front desk.

“My fiancée is having a baby,” James Kimbler shouted. Callarman called 911 and Crow ran to find Dr. Scheibler-Ventress. The team rushed out to the car to help.

Medical assistant Schantel Austin brought towels and gloves for Scheibler-Ventress. Hook was in the passenger seat, and it was clear the situation was urgent.

Rohdeman helped Hook’s young niece out of a car seat and headed inside, while Austin and LPN Brandy Carter climbed into the back to provide assistance.

They reclined the passenger seat as far as it would go and helped Hook into a more comfortable position. The training Scheibler-Ventress received as an SIU School of Medicine resident on her OB rotation came back quickly.

“I was focused on the mom and the situation,” Scheibler-Ventress said. “I was worried something was going to be wrong because we had nothing here to deliver a baby. And I didn’t know anything about the mom or her medical history.”

Fortunately, the lack of equipment and information wasn’t an obstacle. Scheibler-Ventress told Hook not to push yet, but the baby had other plans. She started pushing just as the ambulance was pulling in.

“I delivered the shoulder and was relieved the cord wasn’t around the neck,” Scheibler-Ventress said. “He literally came out with two or three pushes, and I held him. He was crying right away. What a great sound!”

Xavier Kimbler had arrived, along with the EMTs, who came over and clamped the baby’s cord and took over caring for mom and baby.

Hook is grateful for the care she and Xavier received in those exciting parking lot moments, especially the calm professionalism Scheibler-Ventress showed.

“She was right there in perfect control of the situation,” Hook said. “Once I saw her, I knew I would be OK. Delivering in the car was a crazy experience but a fun one. She was talking me through it, coaching me, telling me ‘we’ve got this.’ And we did!”

Hook and her new baby boy were transported by ambulance to the hospital, where they stayed for two nights. Xavier weighed in at 8 pounds and 9 ounces – healthy and strong. He joined three older sisters at home.

Hook had a feeling earlier in the pregnancy she might have a “car baby.” A couple of her previous deliveries had gone quickly. Fortunately, the Memorial Care team was up for the challenge that July morning.

“Delivering a baby in the parking lot has definitely been the craziest thing that has happened during my time here,” Scheibler-Ventress said, laughing. “But as a team, it was cool how we were able to be there for this patient and her family in an important way.”