NEWS

Wrong turn was right decision for parents of newborn

Noell Dickmann
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Nick and Libby Robarge of Oshkosh were driving through a snowstorm Nov. 24 on their way to Mercy Medical Center for the birth of their second child when Nick accidentally turned onto Washington Street.

However, his mistake would end up taking them to the right place. As they neared the Oshkosh Police Department, the couple realized they wouldn't make it to the hospital before the baby arrived.

"Should we go in there?" Nick asked his wife.

"Will they know what to do?" was her reply. But with time running out, they went inside.

The surprised officers made Libby as comfortable as possible and immediately called first responders at the Oshkosh Fire Department, who thought they would simply rush the mother to the hospital.

While firefighter paramedics Dave Neuber and Matt Herbst were en route another call came in: Libby's water broke.

"We decided right then and there, 'Yes, we're going to deliver a baby tonight,'" Herbst said.

They found the couple calm and in good spirits, and took action immediately.

"It didn't even occur to me to be nervous," Libby said, adding she'd had a healthy and easy pregnancy. Nick echoed her sentiment.

Four pushes later, a healthy baby boy, Isaac, was born. The whole birth was quick and uncomplicated, Nick said, taking less than 15 minutes from when they walked in the police department doors to the actual birth.

The grateful couple said the paramedics' response was amazing.

"It was really lucky that we turned the opposite way and ended up in front of the police station," Libby said. "They were all very incredible."

She said the responders had tons of blankets to keep them warm and took all the right steps to ensure Isaac was healthy. Once everyone was comfortable the family was taken to the hospital.

Neuber, who delivered one of his own children, said it was his first delivery on the job.

"I was just happy for the parents," he said. "I was happy for the mother that she didn't need any medication…. she seemed quite calm and the dad was very excited. It made things exciting for me that we didn't have to worry about mom being in extreme pain and dad being worried."

Herbst, who is also an equipment operator for the fire department, said it was his third time delivering a baby in the field, and each one has been a highlight in his career.

"It is truly one of the most enjoyable experiences we have as a firefighter paramedic," he said, adding childbirth calls are usually under difficult conditions. "In this case it was a snowy night… and so I'm glad that we were there to be able to do this."

The Robarges know they have an awesome story to tell Isaac when he's older.

Isaac's brother, two-year-old Lincoln, loves firetrucks and the police department, and always gets excited when they pass, they said.

"He's going to be so jealous his little brother was born there," they said with a laugh.

Noell Dickmann: (920) 426-6658 or ndickmann@thenorthwestern.com. Twitter: @ONW_Noell