New Mexico couple welcomes baby boy during wildfire evacuation
RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico family fleeing the wildfires outside Ruidoso experienced an added challenge after the expectant mom went into labor.
Like most of the Alto community, Joshua and Lina Sandy started noticing wildfire smoke Monday. Then Lina Sandy, who was nine months pregnant, began feeling her contractions getting closer and closer.
"So I whispered to him and I was like, 'I think this baby's coming sooner than later,'" she said.
They checked into a Ruidoso hospital, but their stay there wasn't long. "They're like, 'Yeah, there's an evacuation for the hospital,'" said Lina Sandy.
As fast as the flames spread, so did the questions of what to do next.
"Are we actually getting an ambulance? Do we leave now? Bumper-to-bumper traffic all the way to Roswell and get there in maybe four hours?" said Joshua Sandy.
With their daughter with her grandparents, the expectant dad drove to Roswell. "Stressed out more. Driving alone for two hours to see my wife, who might be having a baby right now I don't know, because there's no cellphone reception," he said.
Meanwhile, his wife took an ambulance to Eastern New Mexico Medical Center. "The paramedic was super sweet. She just made conversation with me the entire time and just made it a good experience in an ambulance, as weird as that sounds," said Lina Sandy.
The next day, all 6 pounds and 4 ounces of baby Hayden arrived. At the time, they were unsure when they would get to take him home and if their house would still be standing when they did.
"Just kind of taking it day by day and see what happens...We're staying hopeful and we'll see," said Lina Sandy.
The couple was just grateful their family of four was all here. "I wouldn't change the experience; it was a good experience for sure," said Lina Sandy.
The Sandys were set to be discharged from the hospital on Thursday.
This isn't the couple's first time having a baby out of town. Their first child was born in Albuquerque after they had evacuated for the McBride Fire in 2022.