Ashland baby is a real firecracker

ASHLAND — Wendy and Paul Turner and their four children were planning to celebrate the Fourth of July gathered with family for a cookout barbecue and fireworks displays. Instead they had firefighters early Friday morning rushing over to their Oregon Road home in Ashland to help deliver their newest family member.

Coilin Richard Turner, the family's fifth child, was born at 8:02 a.m. in his parents' bedroom, almost two weeks before his planned arrival on July 15th through a scheduled Caesarean section at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

"He was determined to come," said Wendy Turner yesterday at her maternity room at the MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union campus, where she and her baby were taken after the birth. "I was supposed to have a C-section, but he wasn't going to stop."

Earlier on, at about 7:30 a.m., the Turners thought they could make it to the hospital in time, but after a few more minutes Wendy, 40, knew the baby was on his way. At about 7:55 a.m., Paul Turner called 911.

When Ashland paramedics Morgan Hunter and David Retalic arrived, they were ready to help deliver the baby at home. The water had broken, and contractions were quick and closer, and there was no time to lose.

"It was inevitable," said Hunter, who has helped deliver three babies. "The parents did the right thing. They decided not to go to the hospital and call 911."

Things moved fast after the paramedics came. Firefighters Matthew Boland and Capt. Scott Boothby assisted, and three cruisers from Ashland police were also there to help.

Once the baby was born, firefighters helped the father clamp and cut the umbilical cord, and wrapped the baby in blankets. For the couple, the whole experience was stressful and scary, but they were relieved they had firefighters' help.

"They did a wonderful job," said the husband. "They were very professional. It wasn't an ideal setting. It felt comforting to have them."

The wife agreed. "I don't know what I would have done without them," she said. "I was crying and telling them if it wasn't for you, I don't what I would have done."

For Hunter, a father of two, the experience of helping bring a new life into the world is always exciting and nerveracking. He gives all the credit to the team and the mother.

"Mom does all the work," he said. "It's a team effort. No one could do this alone. You need help. You know you're doing your little part. We all did our part."

Coilin was 19 inches long and weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces. Siblings Brianna, 12; Brittany, 9; Heather, 7; and Daniel, 20 months, are thrilled as well as grandparents Peter and Claire Scaltreto of Newton, and Marylou and Richard Turner of Belmont.

Photo by Mark Fisette

Wendy Turner gave birth to son Coilin, with the help of her husband, Paul, and some Ashland firefighters and EMTs, in a surprise delivery on the Fourth of July.

By Liz Mineo/Daily News staff

MetroWest Daily News

Posted Jul 05, 2008 @ 10:45 PM