A young Louisiana family is finally back home after a last-minute change in plans for the birth of their baby, thanks to Hurricane Ida.

Rachel D’Antonio, 31, and her husband made the difficult decision to leave their home in Metairie, LA, as Ida approached, and traveled to the Houston area to deliver their baby at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital.

 

“It was definitely not what we had planned,” said D’Antonio, who was 39 weeks pregnant when they made the drive. “We were expecting to be at home with our hospital, and instead drove 13 hours to seek refuge from the hurricane and now have a baby from Texas!”

 

D’Antonio looked on the Houston Methodist website to find a doctor who would accept her so late in her pregnancy. Ironically, she chose Dr. Elise Rogers, an OB/GYN at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital who is originally from southeast Louisiana herself.

 

“I was happy to provide any kind of help I could for Rachel and her family,” said Dr. Rogers. “Growing up on the bayou, I know all about how hurricanes can change our lives. Plus, this was my first baby to deliver independently for my own patient as an OB/GYN, so it was a special and fun experience for me.”

 

Dr. Rogers, who has delivered hundreds of babies during her education and training, said her colleagues and fellow physicians all came together quickly and gladly during the transition of care to deliver D’Antonio’s daughter.

 

“Everyone was helpful and ready to take all the right steps to meet the patient’s needs,” Rogers added. “We were eager to welcome the baby into the world, and help this family safely get back home to assess their property.” 

 

Although the family returned to Louisiana to find some damage to their house and property, they are thankful to be home, adding that the damage definitely could have been much worse.

 

“Dr. Rogers was wonderful all around and the care we received reduced a lot of stress,” said D’Antonio. “We are very thankful we found her. We can’t say enough good things about Dr. Rogers and the nurses we interacted with— they all made it a really good experience for us.”

 

For more information about Houston Methodist The Woodlands hospital, visit houstonmethodist.org/thewoodlands or call 936.777.8978.