The INSIDER Summary:
- Last month, Tanya St. Preux went into labor while shopping at a Target store in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Luckily, Caris Lockwood, a labor and delivery nurse at a local hospital, was also shopping.
- Lockwood helped St. Preux give birth in the store's parking lot.
- St. Preux's baby was born healthy and is doing well.
Shopping at Target is always exciting, but one woman had an especially memorable experience while shopping at the store in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tanya St. Preux went into labor while shopping in a Target store about a month ago, which we first read about on Cosmopolitan.
Another shopper, Lisa Bozeman, noticed that something was amiss with St. Preux.
"I saw a very pregnant woman who looked to be in pain," Bozeman told Fox 5 Atlanta, which first reported the story. "She mentioned that she needed to get a few things, then 'might' go to the hospital to be checked since her contractions seemed to be getting strong."
As St. Preux's contractions intensified, Bozeman called over her daughter Caris Lockwood — a labor and delivery nurse at Piedmont Healthcare, a local hospital — who happened to be shopping there with her mom. "I thought she was just wanting me to say hi because I'm a nurse, and I'm thinking, 'Mom, just let this woman shop in peace,'" Lockwood told Fox 5. However, it was immediately clear to the nurse that St. Preux needed medical attention.
"We urged her friend to go ahead and bring the car to the entrance and we were helping her to the car. Her contractions and pain were increasing as we walked with her to the car," Bozeman told Fox 5. "Just when we got outside the store her water broke."
St. Preux was about to give birth, so the nurse instructed her sister to go back to the store and purchase sterile gloves and towels. Moments later, Lockwood, with the assistance of an ER nurse who also stumbled upon the situation, coached St. Preux through the delivery. "It was the first time I delivered a baby standing up, and outside, and not at a hospital — and with a crowd," Lockwood said.
By the time the paramedics arrived on the scene, less than 20 minutes after the three women first met, St. Preux had a healthy baby that weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces.
"Caris was God-sent and amazing. She was sweet and caring and exceeded everyone’s expectations. She went way over far and beyond," St. Preux told Piedmont Health Care of Lockwood.
Piedmont Health Care shared a photo of Lockwood with the newborn and her mom on Facebook.
At the time this story was published, the Facebook post about it had over 8,000 reactions and 180 comments.
Social media users praised Lockwood and St. Preux in the comments. "Caris is one of the best nurses and people I have ever met! She is a pleasure to work with and truly loves all her patients," one person wrote. "If anyone is going to deliver a baby in a parking lot she’s the one to do it!!"
"Such a fun story! Caris is truly one of the kindest people I know and a great nurse! Congrats to Tanya too! It isn't easy to deliver a baby in a parking lot with an audience!" another commenter wrote. "Wow! The mom looks beautiful and amazing to have just delivered a baby! Two strong women! Love it! Thanks for sharing," a third person commented.
The three women consider this coincidence fate and they plan to keep in touch. "We feel so blessed to have been part of this," Bozeman told Fox 5. "We have visited the family at the hospital and their home, and plan to have a lifetime of friendship with them. We love that they are calling us family!"
INSIDER has reached out to St. Preux and Lockwood for comment.
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