Abigail and Darby Rehbeck had not planned to welcome their third child, Stella, at Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH). Abigail’s obstetrician/gynecologist works at a Columbus hospital where the couple’s two sons, Pace and Milo, were delivered. The delivery plan quickly changed in April 2020, when Abigail began having contractions a week before her due date, and the birthing process progressed much faster than anticipated.

After a regular checkup showed no signs of labor, Abigail was home assisting Darby with yard work. “I always have been an active person and was happy to be outside working. I felt really good,” Abigail shared. “When the contractions began, I thought it was just a false alarm from having overworked myself. I tried to relax in a warm bath, but the contractions started becoming more regular.” Abigail and Darby began making preparations to leave for the hospital and called her parents to come to the house to care for the boys.

Within half an hour, Abigail’s contractions became much stronger and more painful. “I was struggling to stand when my parents arrived. Darby had to carry me to the truck,” Abigail remembered. “Darby asked me if I thought I could make it to Columbus, and I told him no.” The couple live approximately seven minutes from LMH, so Darby started driving to the LMH Emergency Department (ED). They had not driven far, when Abigail noticed her water had broken. While turning from 30th Street to West Main Street, Stella was born. “I said to Darby – please hurry, she’s out!” Abigail said.

Darby drove up to the ED doors and stopped. He and Abigail noticed an LMH staff member standing outside. They yelled to the employee that they needed help right away. Darby jumped from the truck and ran to the passenger side as the employee used her Vocera communication device to alert the ED nurses and physician that help was needed immediately. “I had to remove Abigail’s pants to get to Stella. The LMH employee helped me massage Stella as we tried to get her to take a breath,” recalled Darby, who is a Newark City firefighter and trained paramedic.

In minutes, the staff had moved Stella and Abigail on a gurney to a trauma room in the ED. Darby quickly parked the truck, and a staff member escorted him to the room to be by his wife’s side. Jeff A. Bare, D.O., cared for Abigail, assisting her by delivering the placenta and ensuring the spontaneous birth had not caused tears or other internal damage. “I recognized Dr. Bare right away from my experience transporting patients to the ED, and I knew he always displayed professionalism and offered the best quality care to his patients,” Darby said. “His presence and demeanor were calming.”

Abigail could only watch as the medical professionals, including pediatric hospitalist Sofia Davila-Rodriguez, M.D., performed exams and cared for her and Stella. Dr. Davila-Rodriguez ran to assist as she witnessed the couple’s arrival from the parking lot and was instrumental in caring for Stella. “There were at least 15 people in the room. It was amazing to see them all working together as a single unit, quickly and calmly attending to Stella and me,” Abigail said. “Though the situation was frantic, I never felt panicked. The staff’s confidence was reassuring and comforting. It was clear that Stella’s health and safety was their first priority.”

When Abigail was ready, she was transferred to a Labor and Delivery Room. Stella was taken to the Special Care Nursery where staff performed a scan of her lungs and administered other tests. Darby was able to stay with Stella throughout the process. After a few days at LMH to address some minor breathing and heart concerns, Stella was able to join her brothers at home.

“There are so many wonderful nurses, physicians and other staff members who touched our lives and made us feel special. Everything from the food, to the careful cleaning of the room, made the experience perfect. We are so grateful to everyone who cared for us,” Abigail shared. The family also was excited to receive flowers from the LMH Administration and Development Department upon their return home.

Darby also was born at LMH. He grew up in Newark and has been a part of the Fire Department for 23 years. Abigail moved to Newark when she was 5 years old and now considers the city her home. She works for a local bank in the trust and investment department. The first time the two met, Abigail was running with her dog on the bicycle trail when she saw Darby running with his dog. The two pets stopped to investigate one another, and the shared experience drew Abigail and Darby together. They enjoy spending time with their many family members and sharing the story of Stella’s birth. “We joke and say she’s an All-American girl – she was born in a Ford pick-up truck on Main Street!” Darby said.

Abigail said if the couple have more children, they will be delivered at LMH as well. After meeting Cynthia A. Kearse, D.O., during her stay at LMH, Abigail began visiting her for her obstetric and gynecological care