Mass. dad delivers baby on side of highway, cuts umbilical cord at Dunkin, On August 8, a Cape Cod couple experienced a dramatic turn of events as they were en route to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth for the birth of their daughter. What was supposed to be a routine drive turned into an unexpected adventure when Rebecca Mahota went into labor much earlier than anticipated. As they traveled from their home in Brewster, an hour away from the hospital, Rebecca’s water broke just 26 minutes into their journey, signaling that their baby was about to make an early entrance.
Rebecca and her husband, Danya, were in for a surprise when Rebecca suddenly felt the urgency of labor. “One contraction later, he had pulled over to the side of the road, and I was already holding her head,” Rebecca told WCVB, recounting the high-stress moments of their roadside delivery.
Danya, who was driving at the time, was caught off guard when Rebecca started screaming in distress, announcing that their baby was coming. “(Rebecca) starts screaming, and she’s like, ‘She’s coming,’” Danya said, as reported by the Cape Cod Times. Despite having no medical training, Danya’s quick thinking and calm demeanor proved essential. He reached down to assist Rebecca and felt the top of their daughter’s head, realizing they had no choice but to act quickly.
Pulling over behind some bushes on the side of Route 6, Danya made the decision to deliver the baby right there on the roadside. “We’re gonna have to do this right here,” Rebecca said, reflecting on the urgency of the situation. Despite the unconventional delivery setting, Danya managed to safely bring little Summer into the world right in the passenger seat of their Land Rover. “She started crying, and everything was great,” the proud father told the Cape Cod Times, sharing his relief and joy.
Given the circumstances, the couple decided they couldn’t wait for an ambulance and took a pragmatic approach, heading to a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot to await first responders. “They handed me a sterilized X-Acto knife, and I, like every Massachusetts father, cut my baby’s umbilical cord in a Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot,” Danya humorously recounted. The couple’s choice of location reflected the quintessential Massachusetts blend of practicality and humor in the face of an extraordinary situation.
Once they arrived at the hospital, the couple encountered another unexpected hiccup. Danya realized his wedding ring was missing. It had apparently slipped off his finger during the delivery, as his hands were understandably messy. “Danya’s ring had fallen and slipped off my finger because, obviously, my hands were a mess,” he explained to WCVB.
While they were able to locate Rebecca’s missing cellphone with the help of GPS tracking, finding Danya’s wedding ring proved to be more challenging. The search required a few days of effort, including the assistance of friends and the use of a metal detector. Ultimately, Danya found the ring about eight feet from where they had located the phone, bringing a sense of relief to the couple.
Rebecca expressed her admiration for her husband’s bravery and quick thinking. “I called him incredible for keeping us both safe and delivering Summer during the unexpected birth,” she said. She affectionately referred to their daughter’s unconventional arrival as “the showstopper,” acknowledging the dramatic flair of Summer’s entry into the world.
Mother and baby were monitored for a few days at the hospital before being cleared to head home. Despite the unexpected challenges and the unusual delivery setting, the Mahotas were grateful for the support they received and the safe arrival of their daughter. Their story has since become a heartwarming testament to the unpredictability of life and the resilience of love and family.
