Stories from Big Red: Episode 4

I’m a firefighter in the Los Angeles area and we see it all. The heartbreaking, infuriating, miraculous, hilarious and touching — all in one shift. In Stories from Big Red, I will share these experiences with you.

Episode 4: Hands

My child birthing experience is limited to catching only, no pushing. While I can only imagine the emotions a new mother feels, it can get pretty crazy on our end too.

Fresh off probation, my EMT training on child birth had never been put to the test on a living, non-rubberized infant. When the call came in and we were responding to assist our rescue (paramedic ambulance) with an OBS call (obstetrics) I realize that is probably about to change. “To assist” means the rescue is already on scene and needs help, therefore we KNOW it’s a delivery in action. We just don’t know why they need more help.

That is…until we walk in the door. I see 4 hands inside a teenage mother, working desperately to get a baby out. As I’m quickly donning the sterile gloves we carry in the OBS kit, I take in the scenario unfolding.

A breach baby with the umbilical cord wrapped around it’s neck — a blue color instead of a healthy, oxygenated pink. One medic has hands on the baby, trying to work the cord over its neck while the 2nd medic is trying to create more space for the…