Hospital Refuses Woman in Labor, She Gives Birth in Gas Parking Lot Instead

A baby boy in Bridgeton made an unconventional entrance to the world when a hospital turned down a woman in labor. Although the boy and the mother seemed fine now, the mother said they could have avoided the traumatic event.

CarolinaEast Hospital had refused to admit Lauren Banks not just once but a couple of times despite being in obvious labor.

The numerous trips to CarolinaEast Medical Center

The baby's father, Steve Banks, said that Lauren was 39 weeks pregnant and was contracting, so they headed to CarolinaEast Medical Center for the baby's delivery.

Steve said Lauren was denied admittance to the hospital's labor and delivery several times despite being in obvious pain and labor. They headed home and waited as the hospital said Lauren was only four centimeters dilated. They went back again, but even when she reached five centimeters, the hospital would not consider her for admittance, the KKTV11 said.

The couple went home again, and within 30 minutes of being home, her water broke. Steve said he asked a neighbor to watch their daughter, who was asleep, and they rushed back to the hospital an hour after being turned away.

It took the couple 30 minutes to get to CarolinaEast from their home. However, the baby had no intentions of holding back. Steve said he called for an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). 

Just as his wife was about to give birth, the emergency services pulled into the parking lot. Steve said they saw what was happening and jumped into action.

The baby was born between pumps four and five at Handy Mart Station. He watched his wife give birth to his son in the parking lot. He said he was concerned because his son came out purple, and he was not making a lot of noise. The family was then taken to CarolinaEast by ambulance.

 He credits the EMT as his wife and their newborn son are okay. He said he could not thank them enough.

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Hospital's explanation

In an interview with WITN, Steve said, "can someone please explain to me how that happened?"

When they asked the hospital about its prior judgment, Steve said the hospital offered to detail their car as an apology. The couple agreed as the car needed it.

WITN also asked the hospital what happened, to which the hospital said that it could not legally comment on patient matters or concerns. He said that the hospital follows all protocols and guidelines for such circumstances. 

On Tuesday, the hospital said they would not turn away anyone and that an obstetrician evaluated the pregnant woman. Unfortunately, the hospital added that babies do not always cooperate with expectations, and the baby made an unexpected entrance. They also congratulated the Banks family and wished them the best, the WMBF News reported.

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