The Driveway Baby: Gregory’s Fast and Unforgettable Arrival
Earlier this month, we celebrated the 4th birthday of our sixth child, Gregory. What better time to share the story of his unforgettable arrival—because Gregory will forever be known as The Driveway Baby.
Thinking We Had a Birth Plan
Have you heard those stories about babies coming so fast that moms don’t make it to the hospital? Or babies being born on the side of the road? In a large family, the odds of this happening tend to increase. I have a history of quick labors, and my husband Paul was determined to never have a baby without a provider present. We both had grand plans to avoid becoming one of “those” stories…
Choosing a Birth Center
After baby #5, Adelaide, we had our biggest age gap yet. I had time to really think about how I wanted to birth our next baby. Home birth started to creep into my mind, but Paul and I mutually agreed we weren’t ready for that yet and doubted if we would ever be.
Thankfully, a beautiful birth center had recently opened nearby, and I was so excited for a natural birth in a peaceful, supportive setting with providers who truly listened.
Crisis Strikes: Grandmother Cancer Diagnosis
About a month before Gregory was born, my 58-year-old mom was suddenly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. She ended up on a ventilator right around my due date. That story deserves its own post, but I’ll just say—those final weeks of pregnancy were the most stressful of my life.
At one point, I thought I was in labor and progressed to 6 cm, but then… nothing. While that was frustrating, I later realized it was divine timing. Since Gregory hadn’t arrived yet, I was able to spend a precious day with my mom while she was still ventilated.
Still Pregnant at 40 Weeks
Now sitting at 6 cm dilated at 39 weeks, Paul was on edge. I even carried a shower curtain around with me—just in case. Then came something I had never experienced: a 40-week appointment. I couldn’t believe I was still pregnant!
At the appointment, the midwife swept my membranes, I progressed to 7 cm, walked around the birth center… but still no baby. His head wasn’t quite in position, so we went home. The midwives taught Paul how to catch a baby (I believe they saw the writing on the wall) and even gave us a cord clamp.
Paul half-joked that we should stay at a hotel nearby, but I laughed it off.
Gregory’s Unforgettable Entrance Begins
Our kids stayed with my wonderful sister-in-law, who we also found out was in early pregnancy herself and not feeling great, and we waited 24 hours, but still no baby. Eventually, I felt guilty it had been so long with everything going on, and told Paul we should go get the kids and figure something else out.
While visiting my parents, I felt a couple of strong contractions—but nothing consistent. I went upstairs to pack, and then: “Pop!” My water broke.
I knew I was in trouble. My babies come fast once my water breaks. I ran downstairs, crying, “My water broke!” Paul sprang into action.
A Birth in the Driveway
We laid the shower curtain on the passenger seat, and Paul zoomed off toward the birth center. He called the midwife—who initially mistook him calling about another patient—but once she realized it was me he was referring to, she went into calm urgency mode and began coaching Paul.
Then came rush hour traffic. I knew we wouldn’t make it.
“Go home,” I told Paul. The midwife had once told me if it ever felt too fast, she’d come to me. This was that moment.
As Paul was speeding down these country roads, he told me to take off my pants in case the baby came. He must have seen that the pain was intense. As we pulled into the driveway, I realized I couldn’t walk inside. The baby was coming. Paul said to the midwife, who was still on the phone, “Okay, the baby is coming.” Then the call dropped.
Gregory Arrives
Paul didn’t panic. He focused completely on me. “Push one more time,” he said—and caught Gregory in our driveway. The shower curtain did its job, and the car stayed (mostly) clean.
The midwife arrived shortly after—with her own kids in the car to boot! She wrapped me in towels, walked me inside, and helped deliver the placenta. I then took a warm shower in my own home and snuggled in bed with Gregory. No nurses checking vitals, no beeping monitors. It was unplanned to birth Gregory this way, but I found it so peaceful.
FaceTime with Mamanonna
Shortly after, I FaceTimed my mom in the hospital—now off the ventilator—with her sister beside her. My aunt still tells me how peaceful I looked. And I truly was. Despite the chaos and some interior worries that something might go wrong, it was a beautiful birth.
Paul had different feelings—he had just lived his biggest fear – delivering a baby—but was immensely grateful that Gregory and I were safe. I will always remember how he sat in the room afterwards, with a glass of gin, in absolute shock rethinking what had just happened. I am so thankful for, Paul, and that he was so good in keeping his panic under wraps in order to make sure everything went well – I know he is my husband, but wow – he is amazing how he handled the whole situation.
Not a Freebirther… But Grateful
No, I’m not a freebirther, and I wouldn’t plan to give birth without a provider. Things can go wrong. But I think our midwife knew: Gregory was fine, and I wasn’t going to make it to the birth center when the time finally came.
Honestly, I think I knew too—why else would I have a shower curtain in my purse?
(And yes, if you ever play Scattergories and get “S” under “Items in a Purse”—shower curtain absolutely counts.)
The Best Birth Story Ever
So yes, we are now one of those “crazy” families with a wild labor story. But Gregory? He has the best birth story ever. And with everything going on with my mom, he was our hope in the chaos.
She officially met him a month later.
And yes, after that experience, Paul was on board with home birth for baby #7. Because if you’re not going to make it anywhere to have a baby—you might as well plan to stay home.
The me of 2012 would never have believed it, I would be open to a home birth. but here we are. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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