gas station at night
Mayukh Saha
Mayukh Saha
January 15, 2024 ·  2 min read

Family says they were turned away from hospital, baby born at gas station

Humanity has taken on new importance following the recent global events. However, even then, it seems to be surprisingly lacking among us! That is exactly what happened in North Carolina recently. A woman and her family claim that she had to give birth at a gas station, even though she had reached the hospital on time.

The Sudden Trouble Facing The Family

According to a report by WTIN, Steve Banks and his wife, Lauren, were rushing to Carolina East for delivery. Lauren was already pregnant for 39 weeks, and contractions had started. However, when they reached the hospital, the staff refused to admit them.

After the hospital refused them for the first time, they came back home but had to leave for the hospital again after an hour. Steve Banks said that they were refused admittance to the hospital more than once. However, he could see that his wife was obviously suffering and in labor.

He said, “within 30 minutes of her being home her water broke.”

A Handy Mart Gas Pump (not the one where Banks was born).
Image via: WARL

However, they were still half an hours’ drive away from the hospital when the baby was about to come. So the family pulled over at a Handy Mart gas station between pumps number 4 and 5. Steve’s father, accompanied by an EMT from Bridgeton, handled the delivery.

Steve Banks simply explained: “I watched my wife give birth to my son right there in the parking lot.

However, Bank remains grateful for the arrival and assistance of the EMS from Bridgeton, especially for what happened after the baby was born. Banks explained that the baby had turned purple and was making very little noise. The Bridgeton EMS immediately assessed the situation and started treating the baby immediately. Banks is certain that their assistance is a huge reason behind the baby being alive today.

Read: Mom Gives Birth to Son Moments Before Husband’s Death

The Banks Eventually Received What They Deserved

After the successful delivery, an ambulance took them to Carolina East. The hospital, this time around, offered their help in detailing the Banks’ car after the Banks questioned their previous behavior. The Banks family desperately needed the help.

CarolinaEast later issued this comment about the issue:

CarolinaEast Health System cannot legally comment on patient matters or concerns. We internally follow all protocols and guidelines for such concerns but cannot publicly comment on them

This was the second time Lauren Banks was giving birth. CarolinaEast did not admit Banks because she was only 4 cm dilated. According to their policies, the hospital does not consider admission until the patient is at least 5 cm dilated.

Fortunately, Baby Banks is alive and well now, apart from a minor jaundice infection.

Keep Reading: My forceps delivery ruined my life