Maryland Officer Delivers Baby Week after Childbirth Course

When Officer Jerald Fiesler learned how to deliver a baby last week, he didn't think he'd be putting that training to a test so soon.

But when the four-year veteran of the county Police Department saw a woman in labor last night outside a Subway in Edgewater - just six days after receiving a refresher course in childbirth - he knew just what to do.

"It was just something you do. You don't really have a choice," Officer Fiesler said. "I was calm about it. I did my job."

Officer Sara Schriver, a county police spokesman, said Officer Fielser had stopped for some food while he was on his way to work when Tom Fontaine saw his cop car about 10:30 p.m.

The frazzled father said his wife was in labor and they were on their way to Anne Arundel Medical Center, but he didn't think they would make it.

Officer Fielser said he was shocked at first when he went outside to find the baby's head and shoulders were already out.

He quickly noticed the child was stuck in the birth canal because the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck and right leg. He said he was able to move the umbilical cord and free the child, allowing the baby to be born.

"That could have been a medical emergency," said Sgt. Ross Passman, the man who taught the 30-minute class on childbirth last week. "That's a correction that needs to be made by someone that knows what they are doing."

The mother then held the newborn while the Officer Fielser clamped the umbilical cord with his fingers until firefighters arrived moment later.

William Crotti, an employee at the Subway, witnessed the birth.

"He knew just what to do. It was amazing," he said.

Mrs. Fontaine and the baby were immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Mom, baby and family were doing well this morning, a spokesman for AAMC said. They declined to speak to reporters.

Police said the baby boy is the Fontaines' third child.

Sgt. Passman said Officer Fiesler received 40 hours of medical training in the academy and takes refresher classes every year. He said child birth is always a vital part of that training, along with CPR, and bandaging wounds.

"The public expects that we know how to deliver a baby," he said.

Police officers assisted in an impromptu birth in July 2004 when Kendra Stein brought her daughter, Liana, into the world. Mrs. Stein's husband, David, from Bowie, was pulled over for speeding and weaving in and out of traffic on Route 50 near 665.

When he went to the side of the road, he got out, and explained to Officer Doug Brangan that he was in a bit of a rush because his wife was in labor. Two minutes later, Liana was born.

This morning, Mr. Crotti said he was still pumped.

"I want to put up a sign that says 'We Deliver', " he said.

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