When expectant parents Jacob and Jessica Sims were told that visitors weren’t allowed in Labor and Delivery at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, they were devastated. The COVID-19 pandemic forced limits on who could be inside the hospital. 

“It was very discouraging,” Jessica says. “We both wanted our moms there…and it was extremely hard on her.”

Then Jessica’s mom, Kelly Smith, made a suggestion in a family group chat. Her idea was to go to the top of the parking garage across from the hospital where they could watch the window for a sign the baby was born.

The idea caught on with help from Jessica’s cousin. When the time came for Jessica to deliver the baby, they were ready. 

Kelly just happened to have some blue balloons that had been put in her car earlier as part of a prank at church. “It’s like the Lord knew I would need a couple of balloons in a couple of weeks for that sign,” Kelly says, “and He made sure they were blue.”

The family headed to the garage with a homemade poster, binoculars and balloons. They were fully prepared for a socially distant
welcome.

“Once Denver was almost here, all the nurses came in and started to set up,” Jessica says. “My husband told them about our family being outside and they all got so excited.” 

Jacob went to the window and waved. “They were with us the whole time! We would air high-five and wave anytime something good was happening!” he says.

Then Jacob disappeared from view for a while. What came next brought gasps and cheers from the top of the Clinch Avenue garage.

OB-GYN Perry Roussis, MD, held the newborn baby up in front of the window for the family to see.

“Screaming, jumping, and crying ensued as we all soaked in one of the most unique and beautiful experiences any of us has ever had,” says Jacob’s sister-in-law, Savannah Decker.

Kelly adds, “I was probably the most excited I have ever been. I knew Denver had made it into the world safely and I was ecstatic! It almost made up for me not being able to be in the delivery room…one of the happiest days of my life!!”

Baby Denver Alan Sims was born on March 24. He’s settled in at home now and has met his big sister. Jessica looks back on the birth of her baby with joy.

“It was a really special moment and I’m so thankful that Dr. Roussis and his team helped it happen,” Jessica says.

Now Denver’s mom and dad have a special story to tell about the baby in the window and the family celebrating from afar. “That day was so special to us in so many ways and the same for our family,” Jacob says.

The wait on top of the garage was a long one – about two hours. Savannah says it was worth it and they would gladly do it again.

“We couldn’t be more thankful to the hospital staff for giving us that moment,” Savannah says. “We are all captivated by Denver and can’t stop talking about how we had one the most positive experiences during one of the craziest times in our lives,” says Savannah.

Proud grandmother Kelly says she’s thankful for Fort Sanders Regional and she’s thankful to God.

“Even though I was not able to be in the delivery room, He made up for it by allowing us to have a story to tell and a very amazing day on that parking garage,” she says.

Award-Winning Care for Moms

BEST for Tennessee Babies Hospital (2019)

Fort Sanders was named a BEST for Tennessee Babies Hospital by the Tennessee Center for Patient Safety for achieving success in three areas critical to newborn health: breastfeeding, early elective delivery elimination, and safe sleep. The hospital met specific criteria required by the Tennessee Department of Health to receive the designation.