Every birth story is compelling. Some babies come into the world according to their mother's birth plan, whereas others seem to have a plan all their own. On February 10, baby Adalynn Marie Williams’ entrance into the world was truly a family affair.
New mom Hannah Langston, 18, told Good Morning America that she awoke early with contractions but tried to ignore them because she had heard labor was a long process. "I was like, we have plenty of time. Like, it's not that big of a deal," she said.
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They just had one stop to make.
When she felt ready, the Georgia teen, boyfriend Christopher Williams and her mom, April Langston, left home to meet her doula at the birthing center. But a pitstop would change the trajectory of their day and lives.
April needed a quick bathroom break, so the trio stopped at Austell Fire Department No. 2, where Hannah’s dad, Bret Langston, was on a 24-hour shift.
The baby had other plans.
As soon as Hannah left the vehicle, she knew she wasn’t heading to the hospital. Her mom and boyfriend told her she was fine. “No, like, she's coming right now,'" Langston responded.
This is where having a first responder dad comes in handy. In his 28 years as a firefighter, Bret Langston has delivered multiple children.
“My best guess would be between 10 and 12 — and so just natural instincts kind of took over to make sure that we had the right stuff," he said.
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The dad quickly got to work.
The dad of six cleared his personal bunk, putting trash bags down and a sheet on top so his daughter would be comfortable. Other firefighters located the obstetrical kit and started warming towels.
April called Hannah’s doula, who was six minutes away. “I think about 10 minutes after we got Hannah settled in, Adalynn came," he recalled.
Mom April told 11 Alive that everything about the 7 lb. 2 oz. baby has been a surprise. "It was unexpected, unusual, but it was a blessing and I wouldn't change it. Everything went well," she shared.
It was so unreal.
Hannah told Good Morning America that Adalynn was born healthy and without any complications. "They put her on my chest and at first, I was just shocked … I looked at her and just looked around the room and I was like, 'Oh my God.' It was just like unreal."
Baby and mom were healthy enough to return home not long after the birth.
The new mom told 11 Alive that giving birth at the fire station tapped into reserves she didn’t know she had. “I am stronger than I think. I definitely feel a lot stronger now. after giving birth at a fire station," she said.
Her dad's fire station is like home.
Austell Fire Captain Mitch Parrott shared with 11 Alive that although the birth was a surprise for the dozen firefighters on shift, it made sense as the fire station was like another home for them. "We are more than just coworkers, we spend one-third of our lives together. We are like family here," he said.
'It's something that I well never forget,' the new grandpa says.
Bret Langston told Good Morning America that he and his granddaughter share a special bond now. He looks forward to showing her around the place she was born.
“She picked a peculiar place to enter the world, but it was very sweet and it's something that I will never forget," he said.
