Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dad delivers daughter in family’s garage

Elizabeth Mary Dawn Wells is only two days old, but the baby girl’s birth is already part of the family’s lore – she was delivered by her dad in the family’s garage. After a brief stay at a hospital, the Wells family was back home Thursday. Already, it seems apparent Elizabeth’s dad has repeated the story numerous times. Rebecca Wells started having contractions on Monday night, said Justin Wells, the father and a Spokane firefighter. The contractions were 8 to 12 minutes apart. When the couple called the hospital about checking in, a health care provider told them to wait until the contractions were 3 to 5 minutes apart. Elizabeth is the Wells’ second child. About 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, Rebecca Wells told her husband she was in too much pain and wanted to go to the hospital. But before pulling the Subaru wagon out of the garage, the baby was already making her imminent arrival known. Justin Wells called 911; helped his wife into the back of the wagon so she could lie down; two pushes later, and with the help of dad, the 8-pound, 7-ounce baby was born. Wells wrapped his wife and daughter in a blanket. The firefighter/ paramedics arrived soon after. “They went to work, cut the umbilical cord, and put them on a stretcher,” Justin Wells said. “I’m really glad they were close, and it was such a rapid response.”