By Megan Wehring
KYLE – There’s no better way to ring in the new year than a surprise at-home baby delivery, a Kyle couple experienced.
With COVID-19 numbers high as they are, Megan Cardwell and her husband decided to spend the New Year holiday in the safety of their home. When Cardwell started having contractions, there was no time to rush to the hospital.
“Within about like an hour and 15 minutes was when I was like this is real labor and we are pushing,” Cardwell said. “It happened really fast. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get in the car to the hospital so I hopped in my tub.”
Cardwell is grateful that her husband called the paramedics who walked him through every step of the way.
“My husband, thank God, was smart enough and aware enough to call the paramedics,” Cardwell told the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. “They talked him through everything he needed to do until the paramedics got here.”
After Cardwell and baby Meredith had the paramedics’ all-clear, they went to Ascension Seton Hays Hospital for the 36-hour required evaluation before returning home. While Meredith is considered a rainbow baby, Cardwell reflects on her experience about complications with her pregnancy.
When a family previously loses a child due to miscarriage or stillbirth, another baby may be born soon thereafter. This is known as a ‘rainbow baby,’ coming from the idea that a rainbow breaks the clouds of a storm.
“There were complications in the beginning with Meredith where I had some bleeding and we thought that we might be losing her as well,” Cardwell explained. “But she ended up hanging on. It was work to keep her in my belly. She just had a plan of her own. It just really felt like a true miracle getting her here.”
Homebirths are rising in popularity, as are COVID-19 infection rates. Cardwell encourages mothers who are considering a homebirth to have a doula or midwife on standby, along with conducting the necessary research.
Expecting mothers may be anxious about delivering their baby during a pandemic but Cardwell leaves some lasting advice that she hopes will help.
“Do whatever feels right for you and your family,” Cardwell said. “It is daunting to think about delivering in a pandemic but when it comes down to it, it’s really just getting the baby here safely takes over.”
