Big House baby: Woman gives birth in parking lot of Michigan Stadium
Editor's note: This story was edited for clarity at 10:30 a.m.
Dominika and Dave Wozniak pose for a photo with their newborn daughter, Naomi, July 20 after unexpectedly giving birth in a parking lot next to Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
Courtesy of Dominika Wozniak
Naomi Wozniak was born about 12:45 p.m. July 20 in a parking lot off South Main Street in front of the Big House.
Though her parents, Dominika and Dave Wozniak of Ann Arbor are Ducks fans — they met while attending the University of Oregon — Naomi may just have to be a Wolverine, Dave said.
As it was the couple’s first baby, they were expecting the birth to be laborious.
It quickly became apparent to Dominika that Naomi was not going to wait until they got to the hospital.
“Everything happened kind of fast,” Dominika said. “She was really rushing and wanted to get out.”
Michigan Stadium on Tuesday, June 25 in Ann Arbor.
Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com file photo
The family had gone out to breakfast that morning at Angelo’s on the edge of the University of Michigan Health System campus. Little did they know, they'd be rushing back about three hours later.
Back at their home on the southwest side of Ann Arbor near the University of Michigan Golf Course, Dominika’s water broke about 12:10 p.m. and she knew it was time.
Stuck at a red light at the intersection of Stadium and Main, the couple realized street closures and tourist traffic stood between them and the C.S. Mott Hospital Children’s Hospital.
But their baby had other plans. She wasn’t going to wait — and Dominika and Dave couldn’t believe it was happening so quickly.
Barely five minutes from their house, Dave pulled the car into the Champions North parking lot off of Main Street in front of the Big House.
Going into labor in the back seat, Dominika’s contractions were rapidly accelerating.
By the time Dave was able to reach emergency dispatchers on his phone and got to his wife in the back seat, he could begin to see his daughter’s head.
Dave said he could see the baby wasn’t breathing yet — and the couple had a moment of panic.
As first-time parents, Dominika and Dave only knew what they had read in baby books. They later learned after talking with doctors at the hospital that the baby begins breathing after birth is complete.
Dave told Dominika she had to finish pushing — and after a quick, intense moment, baby Naomi was in Dave’s hands.
“She started crying right away,” Dominika said. “I wrapped her in a towel and I wiped her mouth and her nose … We looked at each other and I said, ‘I think she’s OK!’”
For Dominika, the stress of giving birth in a parking lot was eclipsed by her natural instincts.
“We just went with the flow,” Dominika said. “It was stressful for (Dave) … but you are in such a special moment that you’re not really thinking a lot.”
Though Dave said he’s gotten compliments for how he handled the situation, he says all the credit goes to his wife.
“We both looked at each other (and let out) a huge sigh of relief,” Dave said. “I had no clue what I was doing. People say I did a good job, and I just caught it. Just the speed of everything was crazy.”
Shortly after Naomi was born, a police officer and an ambulance arrived in the parking lot to transport the mother and child to the hospital.
Baby Naomi, weighing in at about 7.5 pounds and 21 inches long, was three to four days late, Dominika said.
“I was joking with people — I said, ‘She’s going to pick the time and the day.’ I kept telling people it’s OK as long as she’s fast,” Dominika said. “Be careful what you wish for.”
Dave and Dominika said they’d like to have more children — but as to when, they’re not sure.
“Next time I think we’ll just get a hotel room across from the hospital,” Dave said.
View Baby born by the big house in a larger map
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
A2ite
Thu, Aug 1, 2013 : 11:48 p.m.
I think Naomi deserves lifetime season football tickets! WHAT AN INCREDIBLE STORY!!!
Geoff Larcom
Thu, Aug 1, 2013 : 4:26 p.m.
Very cool! Here's to Dave and Dominika! Professor Wozniak specializes in decision sciences in the College of Business at EMU. Here's some further detail. http://www.emich.edu/cob/faculty/accounting_finance/wozniak.php
james503
Thu, Aug 1, 2013 : 12:05 a.m.
Good job, mom and dad! As a Michigan fan and a Ducks fan (in that order), this makes me so proud! She was obviously running the up-tempo offense that Oregon has perfected.
jns131
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 11:05 p.m.
3 days late and had to hurry up to catch up. What a story. Mom and Dad have a story to tell their child when she is old enough to laugh about it.
belboz
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 6:24 p.m.
I strongly suggest they go for two.
AnnArborDon
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 5:04 p.m.
Great catch, dad! Don't spike her in the end zone! Seriously, congratulations and best wishes.
miman
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 4:59 p.m.
I think Dave should give Naomi season football tickets for life.
15crown00
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 4:38 p.m.
CONGRATULATIONS to the child and the parents. Wonder if this would have been a story if they would have been in the parking lot of the Walmart in Ypsi.in other words the location,location,location when the baby decided it was time is what made this story.
Ann English
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 10:24 p.m.
EyeHeartA2, Something happened in a Walmart parking lot in another state a few months ago, but it could have happened in any store parking lot: a man was putting his children in his car, but because his kids are biracial, the Walmart security thought he was kidnapping those children! If Naomi's mother is seen around here putting her into her car when she's five years old, the photo above will hopefully be remembered as well as this story itself. Looks like Naomi got her skin color from her dad. Walmart, in North/South Carolina, had to apologize to that other father for the misdeed of their security personnel.
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 4:47 p.m.
I don't think babies in a Walmart parking lot would have been news, so to your question, there would have been no story.
LXIX
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 3:56 p.m.
Ad Out ! The stadium grows silent. and here comes the serve... ...it's very close to the line... The judges finally make the call. Naomi wins !
daywell
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 2:11 p.m.
Wonderful story
LXIX
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 2 p.m.
Happy Birthday Naomi ! Your name means "pleasant" Sending M gifts to the parents? Blue is for boys and ummm Yellow is for girls (or white, or green, or black).
mady
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 1:42 p.m.
Welcome to the world, Naomi! Kudos to the new parents!!
Mike
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 1:38 p.m.
Another Duck's fan shows that she can win in Ann Arbor. When Naomi grows up and attends a game at the big house, against the DUCKS, she will tell the story about the time Oregon beat Michigan on July 20,2013, an off season game that over shadowed the 2007 Ducks 39-7 win over Michigan at the BIG HOUSE
Mike
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 6:44 p.m.
You people are tough, Can't get a thumbs up, and it is all in fun... I am a Wolverine fan. Naomi, is a beautiful name. That was my grandmothers name too. Welcome to Ann Arbor.
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 12:46 p.m.
Now, if the athletic department really wanted to score they'd give the family free parking for life.
15crown00
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 4:39 p.m.
or free season tickets for life.Come on Dave
bamboozled
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 12:07 p.m.
Dominika is a phenomenal athlete and the sweetest person. So glad that all went so smoothly, despite the circumstances! Now where does one find infant-sized racquets?
NoPC
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 11:50 a.m.
That's a great story! Need more of them.
Albert Howard
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 8:09 a.m.
Birthing center...Touchdown!
mpope
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 4:55 a.m.
welcome, Naomi! (great name!!)
mady
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 1:41 p.m.
I agree, and did you know that "Naomi", in Hebrew, means pleasant?
Em
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 2:24 a.m.
Hopefully the baby doesn't decide to go to MSU or OSU for college!
15crown00
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 4:40 p.m.
probably not much chanceunless a scholarship is involved.
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 1:30 a.m.
Get the carfax. I can't begin to imagine.
aareader
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 1:28 a.m.
Good for them! Seems the method used for thousands of years still works fine when away from a medical facility. Go Ducks and Go Blue!
First Ammendment Feedback
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 1:18 a.m.
A blue baby
Top Cat
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 12:20 a.m.
And how old before Naomi says...."Daaaaaaaad, I am soooooooo tired of hearing that story!
15crown00
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.
it would be good show and tell though
matt1027
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 2:09 p.m.
im there already
A2truth
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 12:01 a.m.
Proof the light at Stadium and Main is way too long. :-) Go Ducks!
Em
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 2:24 a.m.
AHahahhaha that was my first thought, too!
sheepy999
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : midnight
Congrats! Hey so, I'm sorry, but the Big House parking lot does not make a Wolverine. That's a baby DUCK!!! Go Ducks!
AnnOminous
Thu, Aug 1, 2013 : 2:32 p.m.
Sorry, but that baby didn't quack...she growled!
Lauren Erickson
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 11:45 p.m.
Charge them for parking.
andreaz
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 10:46 a.m.
It costs extra for easy out.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 9:42 p.m.
How long until Dave Brandon figures out some sort of extra charge for that as a new revenue opportunity for the athletic dept?
PattyinYpsi
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 7:20 p.m.
Hilarious! Made me laugh out loud!
An Arborigine
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 4:24 p.m.
And for a mere $100,000 license fee, baby naming rights can be yours for little Victor, Denard, Woodson, Fritz or Desmond!
Hugh Giariola
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.
@Tag, way to take that football and spike it!
Michigan Reader
Wed, Jul 31, 2013 : 1:03 a.m.
Tag--Does the $10,000 donation include assistance from the U-M team physicians?
Tag
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 10:53 p.m.
The U of M Football Birthing Experience, for a $10,000* donation you to can deliver your baby in a suite overlooking Michigan Stadium. *Extra charges may apply if your birth is during a home game versus: Notre Dame, Michigan State, Nebraska or Ohio. If your child's birth is during the off season you can add on Birthing Coach Brady Hoke for an additional $2,500. Go Blue!
KMHall
Tue, Jul 30, 2013 : 9:33 p.m.
Good work! Congratulations.