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Her birth time, 9:10 p.m., is an approximation, and the person who delivered her was no doctor.
Michael Zimmerman and his wife, Renee, arrived at York Hospital about 7 p.m. Monday night. Renee was due to deliver the next day and was experiencing contractions. The contractions were several minutes apart and were faint. Hospital staff told them she was dilated only about 1 centimeter.
Renee suggested they go home to wait it out. She'd rather have minor contractions throughout the night at home, not in the hospital.
Michael obliged, knowing better than to argue with a woman who was 9 months pregnant.
They arrived home about 8:30 p.m., and Michael helped her get into bed. But her contractions suddenly began to worsen.
Three to four minutes apart.
One to two minutes apart.
Michael began to think that heading home wasn't such a good idea.
"Michael, you need to take me to the bathroom," Renee said from the bed.
Michael helped her out of bed and brought her to the toilet. He then scurried to the phone and called the hospital to let them know they were coming back in.
Renee, who has two children, never experienced her water breaking on its own.
Michael heard the sound - like a water balloon bursting - and immediately dialed 911 for an ambulance.
He told the operator his wife's birth date and, as his mouth formed the words of his address, Renee called.
"The head's coming out!" she yelled from the bathroom. "I need to push!"
Michael turned his wife and saw the dark hair of his third child's head. He threw the phone onto the floor, leaving the operator hanging.
Their last child was born 16 months ago. Michael remembered the birth, but didn't take notes.
There were no police officers, no ambulance. It hit him - he was flying solo.
Father's instinct kicked in.
He grabbed the baby's head and turned her slightly so the shoulders were vertical.
Michael pulled.
Renee gave one last push.
And the baby's head popped out.
Michael stared at the purple skin of his newborn baby girl. She didn't make a sound and didn't seem to be breathing.
He panicked and gently rocked her.
No sound.
He gave her a light smack on the lower back.
Then he heard it - a gasp for air and a small baby cry.
By now, Michael's mother, who was staying with the couple, had picked up the phone to speak with the 911 operator. From the bedroom she told Michael he needed to tie off the umbilical cord. Kneeling in front of his wife, he grabbed the nearest thing he could find - his wife's sneaker. He ripped the shoestring out of her shoe and tied it around the cord.
At last, the police and paramedics arrived at their East Manchester Township home. Michael excused himself. He was a little light-headed.
The Zimmermans spent Tuesday in the hospital, savoring the health of Renee and newborn Elizabeth, who at birth weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19 inches long.
Michael shook his head as he recalled the night before.
"It was the craziest hour of my life," he said. He owns a towing business and said he delivers cars, not babies.
"God was with us last night," Renee said.
Both joked about the story they would have for their daughter when she was old enough to understand. On Elizabeth's page in the baby gallery, the physician's name is "Daddy delivered baby at home."
