Jeff Hankens, his wife, Sarah, and son, Abe, of Marlinton, spent Saturday, October 1, at Huntersville Traditions Day.

Sarah, who is a South Zone NEPA for the Mongahela National Forest, was having a bit of back pain. But that was to be expected considering she was nearing her delivery due date. Nesting syndrome set in later that evening when the couple went home and got the guest bedroom in order for Sarah's parents, Bill and Jeralyn Hankinson.

Around 3 a.m. on October 2, Sarah decided she did not want to be a part of Traditions Day in the realm of home delivery.
A call went out to friend Kathy Henry, of Frost, who, with the help of Anne Workman, of Hillsboro, tended to two-year-old Abe.

A call to the Hankinson home in Connecticut set Sarah's parents on a "marathon drive" to West Virginia.

Rounding out the activities was a just-in-time 911 call for an ambulance.

"We knew we weren't going to make it to Lewisburg," said Sarah.

The ambulance arrived at Pocahontas Memorial Hospital and 10 minutes later at 4:40 a.m., Josephine Zuzu Hankens was born. Josie's middle name, Zuzu, is in honor of Jeff's father, Steven,ﾠwho passed away last year.ﾠ He always signed his letters with a "Z" for Zorro," said Sarah.

Weighing in at seven pounds, four ounces, Josie was the first delivery in eight years at PMH.

Janice Williams, DO, of Mt. Hope, was the PMH ER physician for this speedy delivery.

"This was the first delivery at PMH in eight years, but working with staff there, you'd never know it.ﾠ They did an incredible job.ﾠ Another ambulance ride to Lewisburg and Mommy and baby were where they were supposed to have been for the delivery," was posted on the family's blog.

Deliveries are rare at PMH, but the staff is trained to handle them, said Twila Daniels, RN.

"Once the baby is delivered, we transport the mother and child to a facility of their choice, where the baby can receive care from a pediatrician."

"Everybody was great at PMH," Sarah said this week. "It couldn't have been any better."

PMH administrator Barbara Lay said she is very proud of Dr. Williams and the staff at PMH, as well as the county's EMS squads.

"Providing healthcare to the community is very much a team effort," said Lay.

As a result of that team effort, the family is doing fine and enjoying their new sister and daughter.

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