‘Historically rare event’ happens twice in two months as paramedics deliver babies

Two separate paramedic teams in Highland have had an unusual task in recent months: Delivering babies.

On May 10, a Highland ambulance team was summoned to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland to transfer a patient in active labor to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese.

“During the transfer, close monitoring of the patient indicated that the birth of the baby and your arrival at the hospital were going to be in competition to see which would occur first,” said Collinsville Fire Chief Brian Wilson at last week’s Highland City Council meeting.

The team almost made it, but the baby “decided to make her entrance into the world” just as the ambulance arrived in the hospital bay. Paramedics Anthony Perez, Troy Hemann and EMT Erika Huelsmann delivered the baby in the back of the ambulance before turning them over to the hospital staff.

“Delivering babies is a part of our training and a skillset that we practice in this business,” Wilson said. “In Highland, however, it’s a capability that we rarely have to use. Many EMS providers can go through an entire career and never deliver a baby.”

However, less than two months later another Highland ambulance team was called to a residence where a patient in active labor was close to delivery. The team determined that “birth was imminent,” and paramedics Melissa Sellers and Matt Sitton assisted the patient in delivering a healthy baby girl at the home before transporting them to the hospital.

“What has historically been a very rare event here seems to possibly be becoming a more regular part of our emergency medical services,” Wilson said.

All five ambulance crew members were honored with a commendation from the City of Highland at the Highland City Council meeting Sept. 19. They will also receive letters of commendation in their employment files, according to City Manager Chris Conrad.

Wilson said both babies are doing well. Further details on the babies and their families were not available.