Woman Gives Birth on Front Lawn

Jen Chaney — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:32:00 GMT

Jennifer Coffman didn't have to travel far to bring her second daughter into the world. She cut out all that pesky business of driving to the hospital and delivered right on her front lawn.

The Ann Arbor, Mich., mother started having contractions on Sunday night. Labor progressed extremely quickly. She and her husband had enough time to summon Coffman's mother (she was supposed to babysit their first daughter) and the doula, but it quickly became apparent that little Maeve Elizabeth would arrive before they could get to a medical facility. So Coffman got on her hands and knees in the front yard, pushed five times and out the baby came.

My favorite part of the story: The fact that, because it was dark, the doula mistook Coffman's mother for Coffman and attempted to grab her crotch. That's the kind of tale they'll tell again and again every Christmas. My second favorite part: Coffman's contention that, "If I'd really planned a home birth, I think I would have given birth in the backyard."

I have so many questions about the details: Were there bugs crawling on Coffman? Other than the OB who lived across the street (no joke, read the whole story), did any neighbors notice? Did her husband feel guilty because he hadn't mowed the grass recently enough? Could the new mom technically have been charged with indecent exposure if someone on her block decided to be a jerk and call the cops?

All I know is this story has got me thinking about the most uncomfortable places to give birth. I smell a list coming on ... stay tuned to this space.

Image: Leisa Thompson/Ann Arbor News

A Bouncing Baby Girl ... on a Subway Platform

Jen Chaney — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:58:00 GMT

There are lots of places where I would prefer not to deliver a child: In a bathroom stall; on a pitcher's mound during the seventh inning stretch at an Orioles game; Newark, New Jersey. (Ah, just kidding, New Jersey residents. That last joke was too easy.)

Anyway, I would add to that list: A New York City subway station. But Francine Alfontent did just that on Monday, giving birth to a 6-pound, 7-pounce baby girl on the F train platform at the East Broadway stop.

The expectant mom was apparently headed to the hospital when she went into labor at the station. Several bystanders, including a nurse, coached Alfontent through the delivery of her child, named Soleil. The crowd that gathered -- side note: would you want this many New Yorkers staring at your hoo-hah during labor? -- apparently burst into applause when the little one arrived.

No word on whether any commuters attempted to put some change in Alfontent's hat.

Photo: Wendy Brown Via MSNBC.com

Strollerderby : going into labor

Woman Gives Birth on Front Lawn

A Bouncing Baby Girl ... on a Subway Platform