It’s not often an ER nurse with experience coaching women in labor to hop into an ambulance to help a mom-to-be being transported to another hospital. It’s even more uncommon to have that nurse help deliver the baby enroute to the hospital. But that’s precisely what happened on Nov. 21, 2023, when 30-year-old Raymore resident Victoria Osorio, a mother of four, began experiencing contractions at home that she initially thought were Braxton-Hicks.
As the contractions started coming closer together and the pain and severe nausea increased, Osorio’s partner called 9-1-1, and the South Metro Fire Rescue directed him how to care for her as the ambulance drove to their home. When the EMS arrived, paramedics loaded Osorio into the ambulance and headed for the nearest hospital, Belton Regional Medical Center. Arriving at the hospital, Osorio was in and out of consciousness because of dehydration from vomiting. After the ER team administered fluids to stabilize her, Laura Smith, RN, Belton Regional Medical Center ER nurse educator, joined the EMS team for the drive to Research Medical Center, where the ER and high-risk OB team were ready and waiting.
Osorio, who experienced long labors with her other pregnancies, “wasn’t worried we wouldn’t make it to Research Medical Center.” But the contractions went crazy as the ambulance drove down Highway 71 towards the hospital, and her water broke.
“I was prompted to ride in the ambulance because I had learned this was Victoria's fifth baby,” said Laura Smith, RN. “Based upon my experience, I knew this put her at risk for potential precipitous delivery, followed by potentially significant complications. As we left for Research Medical Center, Victoria’s contractions had slowed down. Her water was intact, yet I knew there was still potential for an enroute delivery. Sure enough, once the water broke, I see the baby’s head, and coached her through the process. It was truly an honor to be by her side, and be with her as we transitioned her care to our team of Research Medical Center’s experienced ER and OB physicians, nurses and caregivers.”
“I am grateful for the remarkable care I received at both hospitals,” said Osorio, the mother of an eight-year-old, three-year-old twins, a one-year-old, and Malokai, born in the ambulance. “Laura and the Belton Regional Medical Center team brought a sense of peace and calm after a very scary, painful and emotional 24-hour period.”
“Every day, these professionals strive to deliver high-quality, compassionate healthcare to patients in challenging healthcare situations,” said Belton Regional Medical Center CEO Todd Krass. “It’s a privilege to work with skilled professionals who serve our community — the work they do is nothing short of extraordinary, and, like Laura Smith, they all go above and beyond to ensure the best patient outcomes.”
Osorio looks forward to meeting the people who helped her that day in November.
“It will be wonderful to celebrate with the first responders, Laura, the ER and OB teams, my family, and our sweet baby boy,” she said.
Belton Regional Medical Center is part of HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City’s largest healthcare provider. For more information, visit beltonregionalmedicalcenter.com.