Samantha Avery

Like Totally A "Valet" Girl! I went to the hospital at 1:30 AM but when they checked me I was just three centimeters so they sent me home. The next morning I had some time to myself so I did some walking and shopping, and had some stronger contractions about 4 PM.

I got home and told my husband that he was not going to work that night, and that I was going to go to the bathroom and put some makeup on and do my hair. Within a half an hour, I could barely stand. My daughter Cameron was with her Auntie Julie who was in town to help take care of her for when I went into labor and during my hospital stay.

In front of the house I knew I was in labor. My water broke at the traffic light turn for the hospital. We pulled into valet and Chris ran for help and the valet captain ran for a stretcher. By the time the nurse (Lisa Jo) got to me, the baby's head was crowning. She did what she could to undress me, and then she coached me and was ready to catch the baby.

I was literally delivering the baby in full few of anyone facing the front window of our car because my behind was off the seat. I delivered with both doors open in our Honda Element (thank goodness for “French doors” and rubber floors). After pulling the rubber weather stripping off the door and biting my husband on the chest, Samantha Avery was born and then wrapped up in my husband's Philadelphia Eagles fleece pullover. The cord was cut. About 15 female nurses and staff held sheets up around the car and held onlookers back as they moved me from the front seat to a stretcher. They sent my husband with the baby, and wheeled me through a lobby of applauding patients, staff, and guests. A security guard "high-fived" me and off I went to a delivery room to finish the birthing process.

A few of the amazing staff members followed me up to the delivery room, one of whom already had a picture to give me of Samantha Avery. After some paperwork, tests, and a tiny stitching up, the staff then loaded my husband up with cleaning supplies for our poor car. As Chris cleaned the car, I met with a few doctors and then was cleaned up and prepared for transportation to my recovery room. We stopped off to see our brand new baby girl who was six pounds, 15 ounces, and 19½ inches long. She was the first baby delivered at the hospital who didn’t at least make it to the lobby to be born.

My husband is now known as the “Valet Dad.”