Stork makes delivery on Highway 95
<p>Kristen Cram, son Jayden and husband Kyle, welcome the family’s newest arrival, Adeline Grace Cram, who was born alongside Highway 95, thanks to her grandmother Tamara McCurtain and the help of Bonner Dispatch communications specialist Jennifer “J.J.” Wininger. (Courtesy photo)</p>
SAMUELS — Tamara McCurtain knew they wouldn’t make it to the hospital in time.
So did McCurtain’s daughter, Kristen Cram, who was giving birth in the front seat of a Toyota Camry that was headed south toward Coeur d’Alene on U.S. Highway 95 in the early-morning hours of Oct. 30.
McCurtain called Bonner Dispatch to see if an ambulance could rendezvous with them and Cram’s husband, Kyle, pulled the midsize sedan into the entrance of a driveway north of the Samuels Conoco.
“She’s coming!” McCurtain recalled her daughter telling her. “I’m on the phone and she’s pushing and we delivered this beautiful 7-pound, 3-ounce baby girl.”
Adeline Grace Cram was born at 1:44 a.m. An ambulance arrived eight or 10 minutes later and took the family to Bonner General Health, McCurtain said.
McCurtain said she was guided through the delivery by a dispatcher named Jennifer. Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler further identified the dispatcher as Jennifer “J.J.” Wininger.
McCurtain was so grateful for Wininger’s help that she made it point to leave her a message so she could thank her. She also wanted to share photos of Adeline with Wininger.
McCurtain said she has never delivered a baby before, but said she is acquainted with the process.
“I’ve given birth to three (children) so I kind of have an idea of what happens,” said McCurtain, who was visiting her daughter from Oakdale, Calif.
McCurtain said her adrenaline kicked in as she methodically carried out Wininger’s instructions.
“I think I was actually pretty calm until that afternoon,” said McCurtain, explaining that the flood of emotions didn’t kick loose until well after Adeline crossed home plate.
Wininger credited McCurtain and Kristen Cram with doing the heavy lifting during the call. Wininger said her training guided her through the call, although she felt blessed to be part of the delivery.
“It was amazing to hear the baby crying in the background and just to share in that moment, and to feel like I was part of it was amazing,” said Wininger.
The call currently holds the top spot in memorable calls in the nearly three years Wininger has been a telecommunications specialist at Bonner Dispatch.
“And it’s because it’s not very often that we take a 911 call for a real emergency where that emergency is actually a miracle,” Wininger said.
McCurtain said her daughter’s water broke at about 12:40 a.m., prompting the family to begin the drive down to Kootenai Health from the Cram’s home north of Bonners Ferry. In the rear passenger seat with McCurtain was the Cram’s 2-year-old son, Jayden.
Jayden was a trouper, according to McCurtain. She said the toddler only made a fuss when his blanket was used to aid in the delivery.
“Other than that, he was amazing,” said McCurtain.
Wheeler said it’s believed to be the first time in modern Bonner County history that a dispatcher has helped deliver a baby. Dispatchers also understand that to be the case.
Wheeler said dispatchers go through a 40-hour Emergency Medical Dispatch certification course that enables them can provide step-by-step emergency aid, including pre-arrival instructions for the delivery of a baby.
“She did a phenomenal job!” Wheeler said of Wininger.