She entered for nursing bras but left with a newborn!
While the Target dollar spot can spark excitement in many shoppers, for one mom, it turned into a life-changing experience when she unexpectedly went into labor at the store. But the plot thickens—a labor nurse from a nearby hospital was shopping at the same time and stepped in to assist with the delivery.
The ultimate Target run!
Previously, we shared the story of a mom who opted for maternity photos at Target, but Anna Rhodes has taken her affection for the store to a whole new level. Although she certainly didn’t plan to give birth there, we can only hope it earns her some complimentary goodies or a mountain of coupons.
Local healthcare shared a heartwarming photo and account of how their labor and delivery nurse, Sarah Thompson, sprang into action when Rhodes began experiencing intense contractions. “A routine trip to Target transformed into an unforgettable moment for Sarah Thompson at the Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. Fellow shopper Anna Rhodes went into active labor while browsing, prompting Sarah to assist in delivering a healthy baby girl weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces at the entrance of the store.”
Can you even fathom it? One moment, you’re reminding yourself to grab “paper towels,” and the next, you’re welcoming a new life.
Thompson was in the store shopping for shoes with her mother when they noticed Rhodes. According to local news, it was Thompson’s mom, Mary Clark, who suggested her daughter lend a helping hand. “My mom approached Anna and said, ‘You don’t seem well. Can I get my daughter? She’s a labor and delivery nurse,’” Thompson recalls.
Rhodes, who initially came to buy nursing bras, ended up delivering her third child. “Honestly, I didn’t realize I was in active labor,” she admits. While on her way to the bra aisle, her contractions, which had been spaced out throughout the day, intensified. At first, they were an hour apart, but once they resumed, it was only 20 minutes before her baby girl, Elysia, made her entrance.
“I wasn’t sure how quickly things would progress, but then, after a particularly painful contraction, her water broke. As a labor and delivery nurse, I had an inkling of what was about to unfold,” Thompson explains. According to News 5 Atlanta, it became clear that Rhodes wouldn’t make it to the hospital when her contractions intensified as they attempted to escort her outside. “We told her friend to get the car ready at the entrance. While we assisted her, her pain escalated, and just as we reached the store’s exit, her water broke,” Clark recounts.
“Sarah was amazing—she was kind, attentive, and went above and beyond,” Rhodes shared, thrilled that her story is gaining attention so Thompson can receive the recognition she deserves. “I’m grateful because Sarah truly deserves it. She handled everything wonderfully.”
It seems this birth story has laid the foundation for a lasting friendship between the families. “We’re so grateful to have been part of this,” Clark told News 5. “We’ve visited Anna and her family at the hospital and plan to remain friends for life. They’re like family to us now!”
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In summary, Anna Rhodes’s spontaneous labor at Target took an unexpected turn when nurse Sarah Thompson came to her aid. Their miraculous encounter not only resulted in a beautiful baby girl but also forged a special bond between two families.