Born of the Waters 3 of 3

These stories are the third set of a three-part series highlighting the personal Labor and delivery journeys of Houston-area families. They each overcame frightening circumstances to safely deliver during the historic flooding brought on by Hurricane Harvey.

Click the button bellow to read the first and second set of stories.

Born of the Waters 1 of 3

Born of the Waters 2 of 3

Wyatt Robert

August 25, 2017

In late August my family and I were preparing for Hurricane Harvey and the birth of our second child. I was asked to come in early on Friday, August 25 for my scheduled c-section. My delivery was beautiful and our family came together to welcome our new addition. On Saturday, my husband left the hospital to prepare for work and my sister-in-law came to stay with me. That night Houston was pummeled with a relentless downpour of heavy rain. Sunday, August 27 the morning nurses notified us the hospital was on lock down due to severe flooding. Back home, our house was without power. I was relieved to hear we had not flooded but, it was still raining! On Monday, I was ready to be released. Our power was back on at home and we were all eager to be together again. It took my husband hours to navigate the high water to reach the hospital. Just as we were packing to leave we received notice that our power was out again at home. We stayed at the hospital for another night. On Tuesday my husband was able to access a generator that powered our entire house. It was such a blessing! We lost all our refrigerated food during the power outage. My Mom generously set out to replenish our kitchen. I was finally ready to leave the hospital. My son had been staying with our in-laws and had developed an ear infection. Luckily, the pediatrician checking on our baby before we left also examined my oldest and prescribed medicine for him. That afternoon we safely made it home. Electricity was finally restored Saturday afternoon after being out for nearly a week. We are so thankful for all our nurses, friends and family who helped us bring our baby home safety.

Aviana Navayah

August 29, 2017

I was 36 weeks pregnant when Hurricane Harvey made landfall and I had no idea how bad it was going to get. On Sunday, August 27 I was having contractions at home. Ankle deep water consumed my house. My pregnancy had been high risk and I knew I was having high blood pressure. I desperately needed to get to the hospital but raising water made nearly all the roads impassable. That evening the water was almost to my knees and I knew I had to get to the hospital. My parents and I made the terrifying trip to my grandparents home in Temple. It was dark and we encountered one road closure after another. We had to cross the Brazos river and that was frightening but, there was no other way. It took nearly 6 hours, twice as long as normal, to get there. It was an emotional rollercoaster but, once we made it safely to the hospital in temple I was so relieved. I thought I would just be monitored at the hospital and then go home. When they told me I was going to have the baby I immediately panicked! My fiancé was trapped by high waters in Houston. There was no way he could make it to my delivery. The nurses were amazing and helped me to video chat with him so he could see the birth of our child. Early in the morning on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 I welcomed our beautiful baby girl into the world. We felt safe and fortunate in the midst of so much loss and tragedy.

Danyielle Aimi

August 25, 2017

Hurricane Harvey was another storm in a series of trials for my family. The category 4 hurricane was the climax of an extremely difficult and unexpected pregnancy. We had already endured several hospital stays and emergency scares. On Wednesday, August 23 I suffered a severe placental abruption and was rushed to the hospital. I was terrified and alone. I was then transferred to another Hospital where I was told I'd need to be induced. We had been planning to deliver in a birth center with a midwife. I cried and prayed fervently for my baby's safety. Preoccupied with the well being of my baby, I was completely oblivious to Harvey's destruction. I was unaware of everything outside of my newborn from from the moment she was placed on my chest. I stayed in the hospital for a week after my daughter, Danyielle, was born. Our apartment had been destroyed by chest-deep flood waters. All of our belongings were covered with algae, mold and mildew. The hospital wouldn't release us until I could provide an address for where I would be staying. We had lost everything and the hotels were full. We were finally able to find a room in Alvin to bring our baby home to. I didn't feel as bereaved as I anticipated when I saw the remnants of our home. When I looked in my daughter's eyes, I was humbled and overcome by emotion. I knew I could rebuild as long as I had her. It has been a difficult road the past few weeks, but we're forging a new family together one day at a time.