A pregnant Florida woman faced strong winds and dangerous flooding to get to a hospital after she went into labor during Hurricane Ian. Hanna-Kay Williams, from Melbourne, began to experience contractions late Tuesday evening. The area that she resides in was already experiencing indications of the hurricane to come with fierce wind gusts and rain pouring down, Good Morning America (GMA) reported.
The 22-year-old mom knew she would go into labor soon, so her fiance and her mother drove her through the dangerous conditions to Health First's Holmes Regional Medical Center. The three decided to go to the hospital at around 2 a.m. when the contractions began. Williams was going in and out as the car was swaying due to the strong wind and heavy rain, adding that she was thankful her fiance was a great driver, so she felt secure she was in great hands.
However, the obstacles didn't end when they arrived at the hospital early on Wednesday morning, as the mom's delivery would not come quickly. Williams was in labor for more than 20 hours as Hurricane Ian unleashed heavy and intense rain and strong winds of more than 40 mph in the central part of the state.
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Williams needed an emergency C-section
As the mom was still in labor since they arrived, the doctors decided to give Williams an emergency section as she was not completely dilated. Signs of fetal distress can also be seen when a fetus encounters changes in heart rate or displays signs of oxygen deprivation before or during labor. She told the news outlet that it was clear that her cervix was not totally dilated and they would not have a smooth sail with natural birth.
She expressed her disappointment during the interview due to all the hard physical work put in, but concluded that she wanted what was best for her, especially for the baby; thus, she gave her complete trust to the health care providers.
She thanked the medical care as she had a healthy baby girl named Wajiha at 10:11 p.m. ET, weighing 7 pounds 13 ounces and measuring 20 inches after the emergency C-section. The mother explained the meaning of her daughter's name, which is "beautiful woman" and "glorious." She credited her fiance, who thought of such a beautiful name. The two have decided on the name as they believe it applies to what they experienced during Hurricane Ian.
Florida has experienced the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which caused numerous destructions of establishments and houses, per NPR.
"We need to do this right now"
Another mom from Florida gave birth during Hurricane Ian. Amanda and Matthew Mahr were thrilled about the arrival of their first baby, but unfortunately, Ian radically changed the course of their birthing experience. The couple was informed four days before their first baby's due date that Amanda would need a C-section due to an ultrasound that showed low fluid levels.
The doctor asked the couple to go to the Cape Coral Hospital through the emergency room for admission that night for close monitoring. When Hurricane Ian was already on its path to destruction, the two quickly left their home and drove through gusty winds and heavy rain. When they arrived at the hospital, the expectant father understood his wife would likely have a C-section after the Hurricane passed.
Hence, when the storm shifted paths early Wednesday morning, their doctor informed her that the place was getting a direct hit, to which Mahr responded, "we need to do this right now."
The first time mom admitted that it was terrifying, but at 8:49 a.m., a baby named George Bentley Mahr was born, weighing 10 pounds, 6 ounces, with a full head of dark hair, per People.
