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Alexis Ochoa’s baby shower took place in Glendale, Ariz.
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As the expectant mom walked into the venue, she looked around, trying to find a spot in which to set her belongings down
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It was then that she suffered a misstep that left her heading to the ER
Alexis Ochoa had been at her baby shower for no more than five minutes when things took an unexpected turn.
The 26-year-old’s baby shower took place in Glendale, Ariz. As the expectant mom walked into the venue, she was thrilled to see all the decorations. She looked around, trying to find a spot in which to set her belongings down.
Then, she made her way to the chair at the front of the room, which was on a small stage with two steps. She walked up and placed her things down, but as she went to step down, she slipped from the top step to the bottom — and watched her leg crack.
“It was wiggly and hanging, literally,” Ochoa tells PEOPLE exclusively. “My first instinct was to grab it and hold it together. The first thing that went through my mind was, ‘How did I just do this after I just walked in,’ and ‘What is going to happen? Is the baby okay?’ My mind was racing but I was in such shock I was just making jokes.”
After the fall, which occurred just months after she learned she was pregnant in September 2024, it took about 15 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. While waiting, her stepdad elevated her leg as she sat on the floor. Everyone around her was fanning her because she had become overheated.
She was then taken to a local hospital, where X-rays were taken and sent to the orthopedic surgeon on call. Not long after, she learned she would need surgery the next morning.
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“After two surgeries — one being a rod inserted in my tibia from my knee to my ankle, and the second a plate and nine screws near my ankle on my fibula — I am in a boot, less than two weeks away from delivery, and I’m currently able to put about 50% weight on my leg with the boot using my walker,” she says.
“I have leaned on my boyfriend Logan the most during this time,” she adds. “He has been taking care of me — from getting me in the shower, making all our meals, doctor appointments for our baby and my leg, taking time off work, cleaning and nesting for the baby since I am not mobile. He has been there for everything, also helping me mentally. He moved a bed into the living room for me and slept on the couch next to me every night.”
“It sucks being taken from me, but I am happy to have the help and support I do,” she adds.
Since the incident, Ochoa has shared her story on TikTok. She hoped that by posting about it, she could find humor in the mishap and make the most of a tough situation.
Unexpectedly, her video went viral, amassing more than 4.2 million views and hundreds of comments.
“Aww girl, I totally relate. I am 25 weeks pregnant and broke my ankle at 23 weeks… Totally sux and hope you’re healing well,” one user commented.
“Sis you misunderstood the assignment it’s supposed to be a grand entrance not an exit 😂 but honestly so sorry that’s how your day ended. Hope you and baby are doing well,” another wrote.
Someone else added, “this is gunna make labor interesting 🧐.”
“Talking about it with people and seeing other people’s stories helps so much,” she says. “Comments don’t really bother me. People on social media always make stuff up or try to say bad things, but all I know is that the baby is okay and I am recovering. That’s all I care about.”
Now, as Ochoa approaches her due date of May 23, she says there have been no complications or precautions needed. While she may not be fully recovered by then, doctors have told her she should still be able to deliver naturally. And, she couldn’t be more excited to welcome her baby boy into the world.
“Recovery while pregnant is hard and uncomfortable. I just take it day by day,” she says. “People can do hard things and everything will get better.”
Read the original article on People
