Beach Vacation in Corolla, NC Leads to Unexpected Birth of Baby Girl

Corolla, NC: A Beach Vacation Surprise Turns into a Magical Birth

What better way to kick off a family vacation than with the unexpected arrival of a new family member? That’s exactly what happened when Little Emerysn Mae Zajac made her debut on the beautiful shores of the Outer Banks in Corolla, North Carolina. This charming seaside town played host to an unforgettable delivery that her parents, Alyssa Narkiewicz and David Zajac, will surely treasure forever.

It all began on Sunday, August 25, when the family from New York arrived at their rental home just excited to enjoy a little beach time. Alyssa, who was nearly 35 weeks pregnant at the time, wasn’t feeling quite herself, but they were hopeful that a restful vacation would help. After a long day of travel, she called it a night early, heading to bed around 9:30 p.m. However, things took a turn around 1:15 a.m. when she sensed that something was off.

The Unexpected Call for Help

“You know what? Something just doesn’t feel right. I can’t get comfortable,” Alyssa told David. With growing discomfort, it soon became clear that they weren’t just going to be enjoying a quiet night on vacation. Initially, the plan was simply to drive to the local Outer Banks Hospital to get everything checked out, but when Alyssa called out to David at 2:28 a.m., everything changed. “I think my water broke,” she exclaimed.

In a whirlwind of excitement and urgency, the couple called 911. Thankfully, just up the road were the dedicated professionals of Corolla Fire and Rescue and Currituck County Fire-EMS, who wasted no time in responding. Firefighter/Advanced EMT Brian Meade, along with his talented teammates, quickly arrived and got to work, determined to bring Emerysn into the world.

A Beautiful Surprise Delivery

As the firefighters entered the home, they were met with a situation they certainly didn’t expect. “It was her second pregnancy, getting ready to push, and we had no choice but to go ahead and deliver in the vacation home,” said Firefighter/Paramedic Taylor Cohen. There was no time to transfer Alyssa to the hospital. The moment called for immediate action, and the team rose to the occasion.

“Being there bringing something into the world and having a birth is excellent. It’s a really uplifting, motivating feeling,” Cohen remarked, reflecting on the surreal experience of delivering a baby in such an unexpected setting.

A Grateful Family

Once Emerysn Mae Zajac made her grand entrance, the family could only express immense gratitude towards the first responders and the medical staff who helped them throughout this incredible journey. “We couldn’t be more thankful for the firefighters that were there and handled everything awesomely,” David shared. The family felt welcomed and well cared for by the staff at the Outer Banks Hospital and the NICU team at Princess Anne Hospital.

In a touching twist, the vacation home where it all happened was aptly named “Carolina Dream.” Alyssa and David now see it as a special place that holds a significant memory. “We either have to come back to that house every year just for the memories and celebrate her birthday, or just come down to the area every year,” Alyssa said. It seems North Carolina has found a permanent spot in the hearts of the Zajac family.

The Road Ahead

As Emerysn continues to be cared for in the NICU at Princess Anne Hospital until she’s strong enough to head home, her parents have found comfort in knowing they were supported by such a dedicated community during this very special moment. Soon enough, they’ll be heading back to Niagara Falls, New York, with a beautiful story that began on the sandy shores of Corolla.

In conclusion, this out-of-the-blue beach delivery is a heartwarming reminder that life has a way of surprising us, often in the most unexpected locations.