Babymoon Turns Into Early Arrival: Compassionate Care Helps New Parents Stay Close to Premature Son

3/16/2026

What was meant to be a relaxing babymoon on the Gulf Coast turned into an unexpected journey into parenthood for Austin couple Anna Ferl and Lance Giessinger.

The soon-to-be parents left Austin with plans to spend a few quiet days in Port Aransas before welcoming their first child into the world. The trip was meant to be a final getaway before parenthood, a relaxing time for Anna and Lance to spend time together before becoming parents. But before they could reach the coast, Anna went into labor more than a month before her due date.

“I didn’t know what was going on, I didn’t feel contractions or anything until my water broke,” Anna said. “We were 30 minutes between Refugio and Port Aransas. It was dark and there was absolutely nothing around us.”

The couple rushed to the nearest emergency room in Refugio, where medical staff evaluated Anna before arranging a transfer to DeTar North in Victoria on February 13 for further care. On February 15, their son Emil was born prematurely, weighing 4 pounds, 14 ounces, and was admitted to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The couple had originally planned to welcome their baby at a birthing center, not a hospital, making the sudden turn of events even more unexpected.

“Out of all the places we could have ended up at, I’m glad we ended up here at DeTar,” Anna said. “The education we’ve gotten from staff has been incredible.”

Far from home and in a town where they didn’t know anyone, the new parents faced a difficult situation as Emil began receiving specialized NICU care. Anna was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 18, but their newborn still needed to remain under close medical supervision.

Rather than forcing the couple to find a hotel or leave their baby behind, the hospital allowed Anna and Lance to stay on-site so they could remain close to Emil during his earliest and most delicate days.

Those early days brought additional challenges. After giving birth, Anna also became sick with the flu, making the support from hospital staff even more meaningful.

Throughout their time in the NICU, the couple said they were not only supported emotionally but also educated and guided by the staff as they learned how to care for their premature newborn.

“We learned so much in those first formative days of our son’s life,” said Lance. “The staff took the time to teach us what we needed to know and helped us feel more confident as new parents.”

NICU nurse Cindy Lassmann, R.N., played a particularly meaningful role during those first days, helping Lance navigate some of Emil’s first feedings and offering guidance along the way.

“She seemed to know what I was going to need help with before I even realized it myself,” Lance said. “She walked me through everything and made sure I felt comfortable caring for him.”

For Anna and Lance, being able to remain near their baby while learning from the NICU team made a lasting impact.

“They didn’t just take care of our baby—they took care of us too,” Anna said. “They taught us so much and helped us feel prepared during a time that could have been really overwhelming.”

What began as an unexpected emergency during a holiday weekend became a powerful example of how compassionate care can support families when they need it most. Anna and Lance have since returned home to Austin with the greatest souvenir of all, their son, Emil.

“We are grateful that we were able to stay exactly where we needed to be - right beside our son,” Lance said.

Back