Thursday, March 19, 2009

Van Serves As Makeshift Delivery Room

   A Giles County family attempting to make a mad dash for the Natchez Trace Birthing Center in Waynesboro early Wednesday was forced to use their van as a makeshift delivery room to welcome their new addition, while the baby’s four siblings looked on.

   Mother Katrina Frost said she awakened at 1:36 a.m. to find that she was in labor. The baby’s due date was March 15, however he missed the mark by a few days.

   Frost and husband Edward gathered the four youngsters and piled them into their mini van, heading out as quickly as possible. “When we got to Powdermill Hill my water broke,” Frost explained. “My husband was forced to pull over in the store parking lot in New Prospect to help me.”

   Frost said that she attempted to focus on the birth while her husband placed a 911 call and tried to assist her. When the baby’s head emerged he handed the phone over to William, age 12, who then relayed instructions to his parents.

   All the while, Frost said nine-year-old Desserae busily struggled to keep sisters Elisabeth, 7, and Samantha, 2, calm.

   “We just pulled together and listened to each other and delivered the baby in the front seat,” Frost said.

   Once little Noah Aleczander, who weighed in at 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 inches, made his appearance, they took the blanket they had placed in his car seat in preparation for his return trip, and gently wrapped him. Frost said she opted not to tie off the umbilical cord until the baby’s nose and mouth had been thoroughly suctioned.

   With an ambulance en route, the Frosts headed toward town, stopping to make contact with ambulance personnel in the parking lot of Body Works. Frost and the infant were transferred into the ambulance, then transported to Crockett Hospital.

   “It was a real experience,” Frost said, but little Noah is doing fine. “All he does now is eat.”