Off-duty SVMH nurse delivers Walmart employee’s baby in store bathroom

She’s the kind of woman you’d want by your side in an emergency, especially if you’re pregnant. On Friday, NewsChannel 5 heard the amazing story of a Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital nurse who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Mom and baby are doing well, after a Walmart bathroom turned into labor and delivery room.

With more than ten years of experience under her belt, SVMH registered nurse Letty Rubalcava walked into a situation she’s never dealt with before, on her day off. She said the mother went into labor during her shift at Walmart and was still in her work uniform.

“I walked into the bathroom and there was two employees kind of standing outside of a stall. One of them had a cellphone an I could hear there was somebody inside the bathroom stall that sounded really agitated, kind of grunting,” Rubalcava said.

After hearing those familiar sounds, Rubalcava said she knew what she had to do.

“I said I’m a labor and delivery nurse and then that’s when they opened the bathroom door for me and I assisted her to the floor, and then I asked for blankets. I kind of went into auto-pilot,” she said.

She wasn’t alone. A Natividad Medical Center obstetrician tech also happened to be nearby to lend a hand.

“I asked her if she could get a bulb syringe so I could suction the baby,” Rubalcava said.

Like any other day on the job, Rubalcava said she worked to keep mom calm through the chaos.

“Breathe and relax and I’ve done this many times before, it’s gonna be okay,” she said.

Next thing the knew paramedics were on-scene to help with delivery.

“Baby girl delivered easily and I kind of placed her skin to skin with mom. I love to be able to help moms everyday help them bring new life into this world,” Rubalcava said.

This baby was born prematurely. Rubalcava said she knows things don’t always go smoothly without help from trained professionals.

“When I walked out of the Walmart bathroom there were some employees that clapped and somebody you know they were calling me an angel and that was very sweet you know but I just felt like I’m here at the right place at the right time,” she said.

Just a coincidence to Rubalcava who remains modest about the attention.

“Then earlier somebody posted on my Facebook page that I’m a rockstar and I said no, a nurse,” Rubalcava said.

Rubalcava said she hopes to re-connect with the mom and baby soon, to see how they’re doing.