When it comes to pregnancy and childbirth, moms quickly learn to expect the unexpected. Of course it would be lovely if every baby arrived on their due date with no surprises or complications, but that’s just not how it works. Shannen Krahn, a newly minted mother of two, understands that better than most. She went into labor at home with no one there to help but her toddler. And boy did he save the day.
Krahn told WMTV that her baby girl, Brooklyn, was due on September 23, 2025, but she began feeling strong contractions on the evening of September 15. She called her husband, Mitch, at work and told him to come home.
“‘I think we should head in soon. Just wrap up what you’re doing and come home. We’re good. I’m kind of feeling something, but I don’t know if it’s progressing,’” she remembered telling her husband.
The next thing she knew, her water broke, and Krahn couldn’t believe how quickly the labor progressed. She moved into the bathroom, and in typical toddler fashion, her 2-year-old son, Max, followed her in. The next thing she knew, Brooklyn was there.
“I think I pushed like three times and out she came,” Krahn told WMTV. “She let out a good cry and settled right in, and I grabbed a towel and got her wrapped up, and I just kind sat there for a second, like, ‘Holy crap, that just happened.’”
Max sensed something was wrong and helped his mom with her pain and emotions.
“He was honestly my grounding point. He was so supportive and caring,” Krahn recalled. “His little voice just saying, ‘Mama,’ just checking in on me. ‘I’m here for you. I know something isn’t right.’ He just kept patting my arm and touching my face like, ‘You’re good. We got this.’”
Krahn, who is a middle school math teacher, said she’s not one to brag, but delivering her baby at home with just Max feels pretty amazing.
“It was surreal. I could never have imagined that I would do something like this,” she said.
Now the family of four is happy at home, and life is good. This story proves that moms can do just about anything, and if we encourage our children, they will learn to encourage others. Congratulations to everyone on a job so very well done.
