While driving his pregnant wife to the hospital, it became apparent to Londonderry High School graduate Jon Nelson that his baby would arrive sooner than they expected.
Amanda Nelson, a fifth grade teacher, went into labor in the early hours of March 26 at their home in Germantown, Md., and the couple set out to the hospital along Interstate 270; but before they could get there, Nelson’s waters broke and “she felt a foot coming out,” according to proud grandmother Sally Nelson of Londonderry, who works at the Leach Library.
“Jon pulled over to the side of the highway and called 911, but everything was happening so fast that he ended up delivering a breech baby with only the help of the 911 dispatch officer before an ambulance could arrive,” Nelson said in an email she wrote while visiting her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren following the dramatic birth.
In an emotional voice recording of the 911 call, which Montgomery County fire officials released last week, Amanda Nelson is heard crying out in the final stages of labor.
After baby Jacob is born, Amanda said, “He’s not crying or anything. Help me, please!”
“Jacob was blue and not breathing, so his daddy massaged his chest and cleaned his airways until he started crying,” Nelson said.
“Breathe, little boy. Breathe, little boy,” Jon can be heard saying on the voice recording.
The 911 operator instructs Jon to tie a string or shoelace around the umbilical cord. He found a first aid kit in the SUV and used medical tape to clamp the cord.
Mom was in good spirits following the birth, joking with her husband and thanking the dispatcher.
“I had a natural birth. It was not that bad,” she says.
Nelson said her daughter-in-law had wanted a natural birth, but was scheduled for a Cesarean section the following week because the baby was breech.
Jacob Kenneth Nelson, born 6 pounds 10 ounces and 19-3/4 inches long, was welcomed by his brother, Brett, 15; and sister, Isabella, 2-1/2.
“He’s beautiful,” Nelson said.
Jon, who works as a helicopter mechanic, is a Scout Master in Maryland and his troop presented him with a certificate to have his SUV detailed, as well as a bronze baseball mitt trophy for a “good catch.” He graduated from Londonderry High School in 1997.
“Mommy, Daddy and Jacob are all doing well, and are somewhat celebrities down here,” Nelson said. “People talk about the I-270 baby and are amazed that a helicopter mechanic with no medical training handled a breech birth.”