A Gilbert, Arizona, mother experienced an unexpected birth after being discharged from a hospital because she was not yet in active labor. Less than an hour later, she delivered her baby in the parking lot of a nearby casino before returning to the hospital with her newborn.
The family says both mother and baby are doing well following the unusual delivery, while the experience has sparked discussion about when hospitals admit patients during labor.
Visit
Regena Felix and her husband, Frankie Felix, went to Mercy Gilbert Hospital on July 13 after her contractions began.
According to the couple, her contractions were occurring every three to five minutes. However, medical staff determined that Regena was only two centimeters dilated, meaning she was not considered to be in active labor.
The hospital discharged the couple and advised them to continue laboring at home.
Delivery
Shortly after leaving the hospital, Regena’s labor progressed rapidly.
As they drove along Gilbert Road near a casino, she realized the baby was about to arrive.
“We get back onto Gilbert Road by the casino, and I’m like, ‘Hey, you’ve got to pull into the casino. She’s about to come,'” Regena told AZ Family.
The couple pulled into the casino parking lot, where they delivered the baby themselves inside their vehicle before emergency assistance arrived.
Emergency
In a Facebook post, Regena shared that she and her husband successfully delivered their daughter in the car.
During the birth, the baby’s umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, creating a tense situation.
“That was the scariest part. I was like, OK, I got to stay calm, you know, we got to get her out, try to unwrap this thing. And then luckily we were able to in time,” Frankie Felix told AZ Family.
Regena later wrote, “We know without a doubt that God had His hands over every single second of those moments.”
Return
After the birth, the family returned to Mercy Gilbert Hospital with their newborn less than an hour after being discharged.
Regena told WCNC that she had carefully prepared for the birth in advance.
“I printed five birth plans out because I didn’t know how many nurses we were going to have,” she said.
Both mother and baby were reported to be safe following the delivery.
| Incident Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Mother | Regena Felix |
| Father | Frankie Felix |
| Date | July 13 |
| Hospital | Mercy Gilbert Hospital |
| Initial Dilation | 2 centimeters |
| Birth Location | Casino parking lot in Gilbert, Arizona |
Policy
Medical guidelines generally distinguish between early labor and active labor.
According to research cited by Atlanta Black Star from the University of California San Diego, hospitals may discharge patients who are not yet in active labor. Active labor is commonly associated with cervical dilation of approximately four to six centimeters, although individual medical decisions depend on each patient’s condition and clinical assessment.
Hospitals routinely evaluate contraction patterns, cervical dilation, maternal health, and fetal well-being before deciding whether admission is necessary.
Statement
Regena said she is grateful that the delivery ended without complications but acknowledged that other families in similar situations may not have the same outcome.
Mercy Gilbert Hospital did not comment directly on the family’s experience. However, the hospital released a statement saying:
“Our organization is committed to treating every patient with dignity, respect, and compassion. We are dedicated to providing equitable, high-quality care to all members of our community.”
Outlook
The Felix family’s experience highlights how quickly labor can change, even after an initial medical evaluation. While hospitals follow established guidelines when determining whether a patient is in active labor, rapid progression can occur unexpectedly. In this case, the parents were able to safely deliver their baby before returning to the hospital, where both mother and newborn received further care.
FAQs
Where did the baby birth take place?
The baby was born in a casino parking lot in Gilbert.
Why was the mother discharged?
She was not yet considered to be in active labor.
What complication occurred during birth?
The baby’s umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck.
Did the family return to the hospital?
Yes, they returned with their newborn after the delivery.
What did the hospital say?
It said it is committed to compassionate, high-quality care.
