Angelica Luczak was about to welcome her fourth child when she arrived at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida. She was already 5 centimeters dilated when she checked in.
Her doctor, Christopher Kraft, MD, helped lightly induce her labor to keep things moving. But soon after, he had to leave briefly for another patient in his office, which was located in a nearby building.
When Luczak reached 10 centimeters, she started to panic. She worried that Dr. Kraft might not return in time for the delivery.
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“I remember laying in bed taking deep breaths thinking, ‘I really hope he makes it,’ because I was feeling so much pressure and completely ready to give birth,” Luczak told PEOPLE exclusively.
Seeing her stress, the nurse on duty reassured Luczak and her husband, Sage, by pointing out the window. There they saw Dr. Kraft running back toward the hospital, determined to make it before the baby arrived.
“I’ve been under Dr. Kraft’s care for three pregnancies and hearing him running over to make sure he was there brought me so much peace of mind and a sense of safety,” Luczak said.
Luczak knew there was another doctor on the floor and that her “angel” nurse could deliver the baby if needed, but she still hoped Dr. Kraft would arrive in time.
Dr. Kraft explained that his office is only about 100 yards from the labor and delivery unit. With 12 years of experience, the 49-year-old obstetrician has developed a system to move quickly between his office and the hospital when his patients need him most.
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“I have cared for Angelica over the course of several years, throughout three of her four pregnancies,” Dr. Kraft told PEOPLE. “During that time, I developed a strong and trusting relationship with her and her family. I am very familiar with her obstetric history and fully expected to be present for the delivery of this baby.”
He admitted the thought of missing her delivery—or not being there in case of a complication—was stressful. Since it was her fourth pregnancy, he knew labor could progress very quickly.
Fortunately, because he stayed in close communication with the nurses, Dr. Kraft was able to rush back in time.
Luczak recalls the relief she felt when he entered the room after his run. “I had an incredible sense of relief when he entered the room, unwinded from his run, especially when he said ‘ready to have a baby?’ with a big smile on his face,” she said.
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Within minutes, Dr. Kraft safely delivered her baby boy.
Luczak praised her doctor for being caring, knowledgeable, and funny. “He’s also a husband and father and you can tell that care translates into his practice,” she said.
For his part, Dr. Kraft says he views his profession as a calling. “Each patient represents a human being who is deeply valued and connected to others through love and relationships,” he shared. “To provide care is to shoulder a significant responsibility…It is a calling I hold with great respect, and I consider myself truly fortunate to do this work.”
