A woman in Kentucky gave birth to her second child while sitting in the front seat of her husband’s car on the way to the hospital. Brooke Canady, a 30-year-old occupational therapist, was 37 weeks pregnant with her second son when she awoke to strong contractions on May 8, 2024. She called her office to say she would be taking the day off before her contractions became more painful. Her husband, Jeffrey Canady, had been up all night taking care of their two-year-old son, Truett. When Brooke’s contractions were less than five minutes apart, she called her doula who advised her to go to the hospital. Despite the intense contractions and a 45-minute drive ahead of them, she knew they wouldn’t make it on time.
During the car ride to the hospital, 15 minutes in, Brooke’s body started involuntarily pushing. Ten minutes from the hospital, her water broke. She told her husband she was going to have the baby, and he realized he was about to become a father of two. At a stoplight near the hospital, Brooke felt her son’s head and within seconds was able to grab him and pull him onto her chest. Emergency hospital staff rushed to the scene as her husband parked the car. With their help and her husband’s guidance, Truett Canady was welcomed into the world at 8:38 a.m., weighing 7 lbs. 9 oz. Despite the chaotic birth, he is healthy with a “very calm” personality. Canady expressed gratitude for the redemptive birth experience this time around, as her older son had complications after birth that led to a week-long stay in the NICU.
Canady described the birth as a surreal and empowering experience, thanking God for the faithfulness and strength of mothers. She had prayed for a smooth delivery and was relieved that both she and her baby were healthy. She expressed pride in her body’s ability to provide for her newborn and reflected on the traumatic experience of her older son’s complications. Canady’s new son, Truett, is thriving and the family is now home together. The birth story serves as a reminder of the amazing capability of mothers to bring new life into the world and the resilience of families in overcoming challenges.
The Canady family’s unexpected car birth adds a unique and memorable twist to their journey into parenthood. Despite the surprise and intensity of the situation, both mother and baby came through it safely and are now thriving at home. Canady’s calm demeanor during the birth and the quick response of emergency hospital staff contributed to a positive outcome. The family’s story serves as a testament to the resiliency and strength of mothers, as well as the importance of trusting in the process of birth and childbirth. Canady’s experience of having a smoother and more empowering birth this time around reflects the unpredictability and beauty of the birthing process. Overall, the Canady family’s story is a heartwarming example of the joys and challenges of welcoming a new life into the world.
