By Marti Davis
Knoxville News-Sentinel
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Two Knoxville paramedics assisted in an at-home delivery just after noon Saturday when Julia Paige Minter arrived a few minutes earlier than expected.
Rural/Metro paramedic Crystal Rogers and Knoxville Fire Department paramedic Lonnie Glenn helped deliver the youngest daughter of John and Suzanne Minter, who arrived at 12:35 p.m. Saturday, weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces, bright-eyed and bawling.
“She was lovely, alert and crying. This is one time when you want a baby to cry,” said Glenn, who said this is his second delivery in 20 years as a fi refi ghter and paramedic.
Rogers actually “caught the baby,” said Glenn, who heard her cries just as he was returning with oxygen and other medical equipment.
“This was my first actual birth in 15 years,” except for the births of her own three daughters, Rogers said.
“I’ve never even been (at a birthing) with another medic.”
The first to arrive at the Minters’ West Knoxville home, Rogers found Suzanne Minter in the bathroom, resting against the tub and protected by sterile towels.
With Minter was her mother, Kay McDonald.
One look and it was clear that baby Julia’s arrival was imminent, Rogers said.
“We were calling ‘Julia.’ She answered to her name,” Rogers said.
After Julia made her entrance into the world, she and her mother were transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center. They returned home healthy and happy Monday morning.
“Everyone showed up extremely quickly. They were great. We really appreciate their help,” Minter said.
“All went perfectly well with their assistance,” Minter’s father, Chuck McDonald, added. “It’s not every day a citizen gets to enjoy the excitement of having a new grandbaby and much more rare that it happens in the ‘safety’ of one’s home.”
And how often do firefighters assist in childbirth?
“Not very often. It happens in spurts,” said Knoxville Fire Department spokesman D.J. Corcoran.
While paramedics regularly assist in delivering women in labor to the hospital, most don’t get to aid indeliveries.
“I’m probably in the minority,” said Glenn, adding that it would “be great” if Julia would stop by Station 17 on her birthday.