Carlton Williams confesses that the approach of Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015 was quite intimidating for him – but not for the reasons you might think.
“I knew I was safe at home. The thought, however, that a recent category 5 hurricane was barrelling towards the island, compounded by my ‘due at any time now’ wife, left little room for peace of mind.”
“Expecting” is a state of high tension in the best of times, but when you consider the chaos that a hurricane brings to the proceedings, it’s hard to imagine being able to keep it together when labour starts just as the winds begin to howl!
Queenicia Williams remembers the night well.
“To be honest, at the time I didn’t think I was in actual labour. Did I have intense pain? Absolutely. Did the pain occur during the hurricane? It sure did. The pain intensified, but for some reason I kept telling myself I only needed to use the bathroom.
“Being the studious individual that I am, I was waiting for the signs that I was in actual labour. I was waiting for the plug to come out, or my water to break, but neither had occurred.
“My husband was awakened by my crying from the pain. He asked how long I had been in pain, and had I timed it. Of course I hadn’t timed it – I was delusional!”
Driving through howling winds
Under these potentially overwhelming circumstances, Carlton demonstrated admirable poise.
“I awakened to sounds of pain coming from the bathroom at approximately 1.30am on Sunday, October 4. They weren’t, however, as loud as the wind outside. This was my wife’s first child and I – knowing that no two situations are alike – knew that it was best to err on the side of caution.
“I contacted the hospital, and we agreed that an ambulance was not necessary at the time. I informed them that I would attempt to navigate from the St Anne’s Road area of Southampton, to get a little closer in case the situation got worse.”
This is when instinct and adrenaline takeover for most mortals – the point when doing what you have to do becomes paramount and, inevitably, you get it done.
“I put my wife and six-year-old son in the car and drove towards Hamilton. She was still in a lot of pain, and encouraged me to drive more quickly through the increasingly perilous roadways. I gently accelerated to the – unreasonable – speed that she was comfortable for me to drive at.
“All this was occurring with debris in the road, as well as trees bowing to meet the vehicle while en route. The scariest road portion was from Warwick Pond to the Ord Road, Paget intersection. There were a lot of damaged trees, and those that were swaying looked like they could give at any time. On many occasions, branches made contact with the car.”
Safety first
In these menacing conditions, the family headed toward Carlton’s mother’s home, in Pembroke, intending to drop off six-year-old Cayden. Meanwhile, Queenicia, still unsure that she was in labour, was not quite ready to go to the hospital.
“Due to the fact I was still somewhat unsure about the fact that I was in actual labour, I asked my husband to allow us to stay with his mother, who was a former midwife. We stayed for what seemed to be just shy of an hour. During that time my contractions started to change. I started to vomit blood during every contraction. It was at that time that my mother-in-law, Bernella, advised that we head to KEMH.”
Once Carlton had ensured safe passage to the hospital – a feat of considerable import under the circumstances – the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital staff sprang into action.
Calm heads at KEMH
Queenicia gives a vivid account of the experience.
“Upon arrival, I met with my mother and a nurse. After confirming who I was, and the date of arrival of child, we were taken immediately to maternity. Nurse Andrea Park tried to take a sample of blood, but that was found to be rather difficult. She noticed my complexion was pale and blood began to squirt when she was taking a sample. It was as if I was in a horror movie!
“Nurse Andrea moved calmly. My head was on fire, and every time a contraction came, I was vomiting blood. This caused my mother and husband some concern, but Nurse Andrea continued to stay calm. She took the blood work and sent it immediately.
“Suddenly I had – unbeknownst to me – developed high blood pressure and preëclampsia. The process of delivering my child went into complication mode!
“Dr Woods entered my room and gave me specific instructions. She was very calm, but very stern. I could tell in her voice that it was her goal that our child be born as soon as possible to ensure my unborn child and I were safe. I listened carefully and did as I was told.”
Welcome to the world, Stormy!
“Thanks to the calmness of the KEMH staff, we delivered our little girl. She was very small, but strong, and I was monitored 24/7 for seven days. I was unable to care for my child due to the nature of my condition, but my mother and mother-in-law came daily to assist with the feeding of my newborn – as well as the staff at KEMH.”
In times of extreme stress, we make it through. The Williams family is as strong and ebullient as ever today, and the story of little London-Rose’s birth will always be a great Bermuda hurricane story. Currently a happy and energetic nine-year-old, London-Rose now knows how she arrived into this life, and she embraces all the wonder that her auspicious arrival encompasses.
“London-Rose was given the edited version of her birth weekend on the eve of her ninth birthday. She remains thrilled by the thought of speeding through unsafe roads and continues to ask, ‘How fast were we going?’
“She has embraced the nickname ‘Stormy’ and thanks God that He was watching over us that weekend.”
