UKIAH, Calif. – For expectant mother Lindsey Powis of Potter Valley, her fourth delivery was anything but expected.

“While at home with Erin [my husband], I began to experience contractions. Since this is my fourth baby I knew what to expect,” said Powis. “To be honest I really wasn’t ready to travel to the hospital but Erin insisted.”

Driving to the hospital was pretty uneventful until they exited Highway 101 on Perkins Street. “As soon as we exited I knew it was time,” said Powis. “I tried to have Erin stop in the McDonald’s parking lot but he insisted on continuing to the hospital – so we continued.”

And it is a good thing they did.

Pulling up to the Family Birth Center at Ukiah Valley Medical Center, Erin Powis leaped out of the car and ran in for help.

Family Birth Center R.N. Monica Coulson immediately went into action and proceeded out to the car.

“When I approached the car I knew we didn’t have time to wheel her in,” said Coulson. “I had to deliver the baby right then and there in the car and there wasn’t any way around it!”

A healthy baby boy, Camden John Powis, was delivered at 3:30 p.m. and weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces, and was 20 inches long. The family’s midwife, Jennifer Liana, C.N.M., arrived shortly after.

The Powises were so grateful for their care and impressed by the newly remodeled Family Birthing Suites. They also enjoyed seeing some of the R.N.s from the deliveries of their three other children.

One thing’s for sure, Camden will have an exciting story to share with his friends some day.

The Family Birth Center at UVMC offers labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care all in the same room.

A special care nursery (Level II NICU) is staffed by highly trained nurses and attending physicians that specialize in caring for newborns with special needs and complications. Childbirth classes and tours are available.

For more information please call 707-463-7550 or visit www.uvmc.org/birthcenter .