Caledonia Argus

Baby born in ambulance among family and friends

Posted: 5/20/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Drew Standish probably just wanted to go to his big sister Carlyís third birthday party. He didnít quite make it for that, but he did manage an entrance in time for Motherís Day.

Drew was born in the back of the Caledonia Ambulance on May 10 as his mom, Jenny Standish, was being transported to the hospital in La Crosse, hoping that her baby boy would wait just a little bit longer to come into the world. But he decided that Main Street in Hokah was close enough for him. The ambulance pulled over, and dad Scott, who was following behind, was able to get into the back of the ambulance in time to witness the birth.

Saturday had been an exhausting day for Jenny. After her three-year oldís birthday party, she decided to get into the hot tub for a relaxing soak. By the time she emerged from the tub, she had the urge to push.

ìIt came on so fast,î said Jenny. She had been in labor 18 hours with her last child, and wasnít expecting such a quick labor this time around. And she wasnít even expecting to go into labor: her baby wasnít due for another two weeks. She immediately called her mother, Jean Becker, who told her to call Becky Fruechte, Jennyís aunt and Jeanís sister, who is a labor and delivery nurse at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. Becky was at Jennyís house east of Caledonia within five minutes.

ìThank God she was off that night,î said Jenny.

Close behind Becky was the Caledonia Ambulance, with two EMTs who were also Jennyís good friends from the class of 1993, Kelli Tornstrom and Traci Heaney. Neither was even on duty when the call came in, but they heard the address on the scanner and wanted to assist. Bob Lemke was the one on call, and he drove the ambulance that night.

ìWhen I heard the call, I wanted to be there for her,î said Kelli. ìI knew sheíd rather have a close friend than a stranger. I think she was glad it was us.î

In addition to being an EMT, Kelli just completed her nursing degree and now works in the emergency room of Franciscan-Skemp Medical Center. She said she chose emergency room work because she feels that she is able to remain ìcool, calm and collectedî in an emergency situation. She has witnessed childbirth as part of her nurses training and has had children herself, but she and Traci were happy to see Becky at the house when the ambulance arrived.

ìTo have an expert there was great,î said Kelli. ìShe is awesome.î

Kelli was also impressed with Jenny.

ìShe seemed so at ease. She knew what she had to do. Sheís quite the trooper.î

Traci, an EMT for eight years, said the night was ìVery exciting, and very emotional, too.î

ìI think we were all grinning from ear to ear when it was over,î she said.

Traci said that for EMTs in a small town, ambulance calls often mean tragedy, and most of the time, they know the people involved. To have a call that ends in joy is a special and rare thing.

Traci was especially happy for Beckyís presence.

ìShe was our savior,î said Traci.

Traci is studying to be a paramedic and currently works as a medical assistant at Gundersen Clinic.

Drew weighed 6 lbs., 11 oz., and was perfect in every way. Once at the hospital, he had to stay a few extra days for jaundice, but that has cleared, and the entire family is doing fine. For Jenny, being surrounded by family and friends made Drewís birth special.

ìI felt I was in totally capable hands,î she said.

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