NASHVILLE, Tennessee — When a 911 call came in saying a woman in Nashville was experiencing sudden labor, emergency operator Kaitlyn Kramer says her training kicked in as she successfully coached the expectant mom and bystanders through delivering a healthy baby boy.
Audio of the July 7 call reveals Kramer’s calm voice guiding the process even as the voices on the other end grew frantic as the mother’s water broke and the baby’s head started crowning.
Kramer is a training officer for Nashville’s Department of Emergency Communications.
“Whatever the call comes in, you have to be able to maintain control,” Kramer said, adding that she had to remember to stay calm herself.
“We’re going to do this together,” Kramer told a friend of the mother’s over the phone. Moments later, the caller is yelling with excitement that the baby arrived, but mentioned that the cord was wrapped around his neck.
Kramer said the bystanders were able to free the baby and soon enough, Kramer could hear his first wails over the phone.
“When I think of a baby being first born, the biggest thing for me is I want to hear them cry,” said Kramer. “And he did that on his own.”
The whole call lasted about 8 minutes before the ambulance arrived and Kramer got to congratulate the mother and bystanders on a job well done. The family did not respond to a request for an interview.
“I think my favorite part about this whole situation was there was also another younger child in the room, maybe between the ages of seven and 10 years old,” Kramer said “She started talking to the baby, welcoming him to the world. And that absolutely just melted my heart.”
Kramer said this is the second time she has helped during a delivery over the 911 hotline.
“We get a lot of sad here. Our job is hard,” Kramer said. “This is one of the reasons that remind me that what I do is important … it just it makes me happy to do what I do.”
When expectant mother Sarah Johnson went into labor unexpectedly at home, she found herself in a panic. With no time to make it to the hospital, she knew she had to act fast. In a state of distress, she dialed 911 for help.
On the other end of the line was 911 operator Emily Davis, who remained calm and composed as she guided Sarah through the delivery of her baby. With years of training and experience under her belt, Emily knew exactly what to do in this high-pressure situation.
Emily first instructed Sarah to find a comfortable and safe place to lie down. She then talked her through the process of breathing and pushing, providing clear and concise directions every step of the way. Despite the chaos and uncertainty surrounding the situation, Emily’s reassuring voice served as a guiding light for Sarah in her time of need.
As the minutes passed, Sarah’s contractions grew stronger and more frequent. With each push, she could feel her baby getting closer to entering the world. Emily remained on the line, offering words of encouragement and support as Sarah navigated through the intense pain and emotions of childbirth.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sarah gave one final push and welcomed her baby into the world. The sound of the newborn’s cries filled the room, bringing tears of joy to both Sarah and Emily. With the help of the 911 operator, Sarah had successfully delivered her baby at home.
In the aftermath of the unexpected at-home birth, Sarah expressed her gratitude towards Emily for her unwavering support and guidance throughout the entire ordeal. Without her calm demeanor and quick thinking, Sarah wasn’t sure if she would have been able to deliver her baby safely.
This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the crucial role that 911 operators play in emergency situations. Their expertise and professionalism can make all the difference in life-or-death scenarios, providing comfort and guidance to those in need. Emily’s actions on that fateful day not only helped bring a new life into the world but also strengthened the bond between a mother and her newborn child.
