GATESVILLE, Texas (KWTX) – A Gatesville couple welcomed their baby at a local hospital with no maternity ward on Jan. 15.
Lucas Franklin and his wife Ruby Deaton had to be quick to get to the nearest hospital after her water suddenly broke in Gatesville.
“The plan was if I was at work to meet somewhere along halfway to Waco so we could go to Waco, but I couldn’t even make it to Gatesville before she had to come into the hospital. There was no making it to Waco. There’s no way we would have made it we would have had the baby in the car if we tried,” Franklin said.
The closest option was Coryell Health, which hasn’t had an Obstetrics and Gynecology department since 1991.
The emergency staff were quick to take Ruby in for her delivery.
“My water broke about 2 o’clock, and we got into Coryell health at 2:20, that’s when you texted me, and she was born at 2:57, she did not wait,” Franklin said.
Andrea-Renea Virginia Franklin was born Thursday at Coryell Health in Gatesville.(Jessica Rajkumar)
Andrea-Renea Franklin was born Thursday, and her parents said it was an exciting day for their family and the staff, who made sure to keep them healthy until they went to Ascension Providence in Waco.
“They did the Apgar scores for her but they didn’t take any measurements because their scales were outside of the room and they didn’t want exposure to any sickness or anything, especially during flu season so they just waited for a transfer,” Franklin said.
Their baby is healthy and the couple said they are grateful for the Coryell staff, but Franklin said there needs to be something closer for expecting couples in the Gatesville area.
“There’s a lot of young people having children and the closest place is about 45 minutes if you are in town and its kind of dangerous if you ask me, people need to have access to adequate medical healthcare, especially for a baby,” Franklin said.
Coryell Health shared in a statement:
“Coryell Health is a critical access hospital system headquartered in Gatesville, Texas, with clinics throughout Central Texas in Waco, Temple, McGregor, Moody, Copperas Cove, and Goldthwaite.
“The mission at Coryell Health is to improve and maintain the health of the citizens residing in the communities we serve. Part of this mission includes operating a Level 4 Trauma Center and Emergency Department in Gatesville.
“While Coryell Health has not delivered babies through a dedicated OB program since 1991, unexpected deliveries do occur in our Emergency Department. In these situations, our physicians, nurses, and staff respond appropriately to ensure the safety and well-being of mother and baby.
“These unplanned deliveries occur on average 2-3 times per year, and Coryell Health staff always stand ready to serve our community in this way.”
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