Community Corner
Surprise Delivery on Front Lawn—Mom, Newborn and Grass Clippings Taken Afterward to Hospital
Jon and Alyssa Buck welcomed their fifth child, Abigail, at 4:15 a.m., with the help of neighbors in the Rancho Niguel community and firefighters.
Jon and Alyssa Buck’s ride to the delivery room was cut short—very short.
“Just as Alyssa was walking to the car, her water broke and the baby began to be born,” said happy grandma, Tracy Buck. “Jon called 9-1-1 and laid her on the grass.”
Alyssa Buck, 35, gave birth to Abigail, her fifth child, at 4:17 a.m. on the couple's front lawn.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Earlier, Alyssa had experienced the onset of labor pains around 3 p.m. and by 4 a.m., the couple decided to head for Saddleback Hospital.
Alyssa’s mom, Cyndee Carlson, was visiting from Colorado. She used to be a nurse.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“She heard Alyssa cry out, figured out what was happening, and ran back into the house and grabbed a quilt,” Tracy Buck said. “She came out and delivered the baby onto the quilt, then wrapped the quilt around the baby.”
By this time, the firemen had arrived and had cut the cord. The neighbors around the cul-de-sac of their Rancho Niguel community of Tampico came out, each bringing something useful—a blanket, a quilt, etc.
"It was exactly 18 minutes from the time the Fire Department arrived to the time they arrived at the hospital. In that time, they cut the cord, cleaned Abby up, got everyone in the ambulance, and got to the hospital," Tracy Buck said. "Hooray for the Laguna Niguel Fire Department! We're in good hands in this city."
Baby Abigail Faith Buck weighed in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces and 19.5 inches long. She joins four other sisters in the Buck brood.
“Alyssa wondered how the neighbors knew what was happening,” Tracy Buck said. “Jon said to her, ‘You screamed ‘I’m having a baby here!’ And you probably woke up all of Rancho Niguel.’”
Alyssa replied, “I really was yelling? I don't remember saying anything.”
Once everything was under control, everyone noticed that there was grass all over the floor in her hospital room, and all over her bed, grandma Tracy laughed.
The nurses thought it was a hoot and so do we at Laguna Niguel Patch. We also want to say thanks to grandma Tracy and grandpa Ron for sharing the news. Congrats to the parents, too!
