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911 Dispatcher Talks Dad Through Delivery

MOTHER WAS 37 WEEKS PREGNANT

Sarasota Herald-Tribune photo by ROD MILLINGTON

Dad Andrew Layne holds baby Trevor while son Brody, 4, and mom, Dina sit on her hospital bed.

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By JASON ODRA

TBO.com

Published: May 28, 2008

A 911 dispatcher talked an understandably nervous Sarasota man through the delivery of his son Tuesday morning.

Andrew Layne called 911 about 4:29 a.m. to report his wife, Dina, was about to give birth, and they didn't think they would make it to the hospital. Layne asked for an ambulance.

Sarasota County 911 dispatcher Janet Jones took the call.

"My wife is pregnant, and she said she can't make it to the hospital," Andrew Layne said. "She wants me to call an ambulance right away."

"I already have somebody dispatching units to you," Jones said. "I'm going to ask you some questions. Are you with her right now?

"Yeah," Andrew Layne responded.

"How old is she?" Jones said.

"She's 36 … 30 ah, 30 ah ... 37 ... sorry," he said.

"It's OK," Jones responded. "Is the baby completely out?"

"No," Dina Layne responded.

A couple of minutes later, it was obvious the baby wasn't going to wait for the ambulance to arrive at the North Port home.

Andrew Layne started breathing heavier.

"I can see the baby's head," he said. "The baby's head is … the baby's head is all the way out."

"OK, listen carefully, and do exactly as I say," Jones instructed. "Lay her on her back on the center of the bed or on the floor. I'm going to help you deliver the baby. Make sure all the clothing below her waist is removed. Get towels, and check pushing. Get some dry towels and a blanket to wrap the baby in. You're going to need a string or a shoelace to tie around the umbilical cord after the delivery."

"A shoelace? I'm getting my shoelace off right now," Andrew Layne responded.

"When the baby's born, just have it available," Jones said.

"The baby head is all the way out," Andrew Layne said.

"Remember the baby will be slippery," Jones warned. "Don't drop it."

"I got the baby," Andrew Layne said. "The baby's out."

Just as Jones asked whether the baby was crying, a loud cry is heard in the background of the call.

"All right! Gently wipe the baby's mouth and nose," Jones said, beginning to get a little emotional.

"We're going to tie the cord. You know that shoelace? … Without pulling on the cord, tie the shoelace tightly around the umbilical cord about six inches from the baby. Do not cut it.

"You're doing great, dad. Do you have a little baby girl or a little baby boy?"

"A little baby boy," Andrew Layne said.

Trevor Dalton Lane was born at 4:35 a.m.

Sarasota County Sheriff William Balkwill acknowledged the work of Jones and congratulated the Laynes on the birth of their son. This is the Laynes' third baby.

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