A group of people chose to tailgate the birth of a baby in a hospital parking lot for three days, and their waiting eventually paid off in a viral clip.
The TikTok, captioned, "They called security on us for waiting outside the hospital," along with a number of hashtags, has been viewed 7.9 million times and liked 1.5 million times since being posted on April 10.
According to the United States Census Bureau, births have declined and mortality rates have gone up, an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that there was a downswing in births in the winter of 2020 and 2021, showing symptoms of rebounding in March.
The minute-long clip, posted by Tiktoker @charishernandezart, started with the TikToker walking with text overlay on the screen reading, "My sister's having a baby, but because of COVID, we tailgated in front of their hospital room! Watch till the end, so worth it!"
The video started with the TikToker grabbing supplies at a store, including cardboard and markers as the song Circle of Life from The Lion King played.
Next, the screen cut to a man and a woman sitting in the bed of a truck eating strawberries at 7 a.m. on the first day during the tailgate at the hospital as they awaited the birth.
Then, the group made "motivational signs" that they put on their car windshields at 10 a.m. Some of the signs included things like, "Push it," and "Eviction notice."
Luckily, the TikToker and the rest of the tailgaters were able to see the woman in labor before giving birth as she and her partner stepped outside the hospital to talk to them all.
"Got to see the parents to be before the battle!" the screen read.
More people eventually showed up later on to show their support as well, and some waved for the camera.
"Moral support showing up," the screen read in text overlay.
At 5 p.m., the dad-to-be walked out to give an update. Later, security was even called, and a tailgater held up a sign that read, "We are here waiting for a baby."
"Security was called, so we made a disclaimer," the screen read.
More tailgaters showed up in support around 11 p.m., but the baby still didn't make its appearance. The following day, the friends and family sat in the bed of a truck after the mother-to-be had spent 27 hours in labor.
At 7 p.m. on the second day, the group received another update from the father. "Update from dad part two, getting close!" the screen read as the father spoke to the group to inform them about what was going on.
At 11 p.m. on the second day, even more supporters made their way to the hospital. At midnight, one of the people waiting among the tailgaters used binoculars to search for movement in the hospital room.
Finally, at 5:30 a.m. on the third day, the baby was born, and the father held up their child from behind the glass of the hospital window as the lyrics, "The circle of life" played. The moment is reminiscent of the scene from The Lion King of Simba being held up after he was born.
Over 12,000 comments poured in over the viral clip, and people were genuinely moved by what they saw. One viewer admitted that when the child was held in the window, they "smiled the biggest smile ever. What a lovely memory for you and wee baby to look back on. Congratulations."
The clip brought up emotions for some viewers. "Here I am crying," a TikToker said. "Baby is lucky to have such an amazing family."
One TikToker thought the clip is "without a doubt the best I've seen on TikTok ever! Congratulations."
People seemed to approve of the tailgating friends and family. "Every woman should have this level of support and love!" a viewer wrote. "Amazing."
Other comments of appreciation included things like, "Respectfully as a spectator, that was worth the wait," and "I wish I had this kind of village."
While many were fixated on the ending of the video with the baby in the window. "I did not expect the window!" a viewer said. "Literally made my whole day."
TikToker @charishernandezart told Newsweek: "This was an experience that none of us will ever forget. It was amazing to be able to welcome our newest family member into the world. Just because the world looks different right now doesn't mean we can't support our loved ones. I love that her birth story has brought a smile to so many people's faces."
This isn't the only viral clip involving a child. A grandfather recently turned heads as he carried his granddaughter around in a bucket at Lowe's. Another child, a 2-year-old, read a sentence from a flashcard. In addition, plane passengers sang a song to a child who was crying in a viral clip.
Updated 04/13/2022, 5:18 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with comments from TikToker @charishernandezart.
