Vault: Kids help mom deliver their baby brother

Summary

The Bert Show: "Vault: Kids help mom deliver their baby brother"

Episode Date: July 6, 2026
Main Theme:
An extraordinary real-life story unfolds as two young siblings step up to help their mother deliver a baby at home, guided by a 911 operator, while their father is away. The show plays the dramatic 911 call, discusses the astonishing calmness of the children and their mother, and draws insights from listeners and professionals on rapid labor and child-led emergencies.

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on a gripping true event: two children, ages 8 and 11, assist their mother in delivering her baby at home with live guidance from a 911 operator. The Bert Show team shares the call, reacts to the unfolding drama, and brings in expert commentary and listener perspectives on handling quick labors and child resilience in emergency situations.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: The Unplanned Home Birth

• Host sets context:
  • “Imagine you’re a mom, home alone. Upstairs is your fifth grader and your third grader... and you start to deliver the baby. That’s kind of a panic situation.” (00:50)
  • Only people home: mother, 8-year-old, and 11-year-old.
  • After a call to their father, the children wisely phone 911 for help.

The 911 Call: Step-by-Step Drama

• The 911 operator calmly leads the children through delivering the baby:
  • Confirming the mother is in labor and bleeding (01:53–03:00)
  • Assessing the baby's breathing post-delivery (03:00–04:30)
  • Providing instructions for safety: towels for cleaning and wrapping the baby, helping the mother to lay down, cautions not to pull on the umbilical cord.
  • Requesting the umbilical cord be tied off with string/shoelace, but not cut (05:34–07:00)
  • Ensuring the front door is unlocked for emergency services (07:00–07:30)
  • Emergency responders arrive; operator compliments the children on their composure and effort. (07:46–07:57)

Notable Quote:

• 911 Operator: “She’s doing a really great job. How are you doing?” (07:18)
• 911 Operator: “You did a great job. Thank you.” (07:57)

Show Panel Reactions: Astonishment and Admiration

• Hosts express awe at the kids' and mom's composure.
  • “These kids definitely are future Dr. Oz’s and Sanjay Guptas.” — Host (01:48)
  • “Super mom.” — Host, reacting to mom standing post-delivery (04:49)
  • “Oh my God.” — Guest, responding to the intensity (04:48)
  • “Those are parts you don’t normally see at 11 and have to touch and deal with. She was so calm, too.” — Guest (08:04)
• Panel laughs about the ambulance’s slow parking:
  • “They’re parallel parking. It takes a minute.” — Host (07:55)

Expert Insight: Former Labor and Delivery Nurse

• “That poor 11-year-old was... very calm, but I think she was in shock, because she couldn’t do anything without being prompted. ...Your labors are about halfway... each child you have, you can pretty much bet you could go to Vegas and bet your labor would be about half of what it was with the previous child... Just be responsible. So I’m glad it turned out okay. But yeah, there’s some predictability to it.” (08:18–09:01)
• Emphasizes that with multiple kids, labors can be unexpectedly fast.

Kids’ Perspective and Aftermath

• Host shares a news report follow-up:
  • “Both kids thought it was really cool that the brother was born in the bathroom.” (09:09)
• Reflection on resilience:
  • “I think the 11-year-old was probably calm in shock, but also calm because she had a little sister she was probably trying to be strong for too.” — Guest (09:02)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Host (reacting to the extraordinary children): “These kids definitely are future Dr. Oz’s and Sanjay Guptas.” (01:48)
• 911 Operator (to the child): “She’s doing a really great job. How are you doing?” (07:18)
• Guest (on mother’s strength): “Super mom.” (04:49)
• Guest (on the child's composure): “She was so calm, too.” (08:04)
• Labor & Delivery Nurse: “I was a labor and delivery nurse for a long time. Your labors are about halfway... each child you have, you can pretty much bet you could go to Vegas and bet your labor would be about half of what it was with the previous child.” (08:23)
• Host (on the kids’ take): “Both kids thought it was really cool that the brother was born in the bathroom.” (09:09)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:50 — Host sets up the scenario of the emergency home birth
• 01:53–07:57 — Full 911 call audio with step-by-step delivery guidance
• 04:49 — "Super mom" reaction as mother remains standing post-delivery
• 05:34 — 911 operator instructs children on tying the umbilical cord
• 07:46–07:57 — Emergency responders arrive, call concludes
• 08:16 — Guest remarks on the unusual circumstances for the children
• 08:18–09:01 — Labor & Delivery Nurse offers expert insight
• 09:09 — Host shares news report on kids’ positive take

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Tone & Language

The episode maintains the authentic, humorous, and empathetic tone characteristic of The Bert Show, balancing astonishment at the children's bravery with warmth and admiration for everyone involved.

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Summary

This episode serves as a remarkable testament to the resilience and maturity of children facing emergency situations, the power of calm guidance from 911 professionals, and the unpredictability of birth. Through laughter, expertise, and genuine awe, The Bert Show delivers an unforgettable snapshot of family, teamwork, and human spirit under pressure.

Transcript

[Narrator]

One crunchy bite of a Hershey's cookies and cream bar and I'm taken right back to college. Move in. Day I was a little overwhelmed by the newness of it all.

[Caller/911 Operator]

Boxes were everywhere.

[Narrator]

I needed a break from unpacking. But just as I was able to take a breath and open my Hershey's cookies and cream bar, my new roommate Rachel walked in. I offered her a piece, but she said no. Then after a beat, she said, actually, those are my favorite ones. We left. The ice was broken, and we've been friends ever since.

[Caller/911 Operator]

Hershey's. It's your happy place.

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[Host]

Today the Birch show. The 911 call that I'm about to play takes place, I think, in San Francisco. Imagine if you're here, Melissa. Imagine you're a mom. You're home alone. Upstairs is your fifth grader and your third grader. So it's at nine and 11, about that.

[Caller/911 Operator]

Eight, something like that.

[Host]

Eight and 10? Yeah. So the only people at the house are those two kids. And you start to deliver the baby. That's kind of a panic situation. So this happened out in San Francisco and the kids came down to help mom and ended up delivering their baby brother.

[Guest]

Wow.

[Host]

So the first call that they made was to their dad. And dad said, well, you gotta call 911. And so then they were smart enough to call 911. And this is the audio of the call to 911. I've divided this up into where was dad?

[Caller/911 Operator]

Was dad, like at work, at the office or something?

[Host]

Yeah, he was. He wasn't at home.

[Caller/911 Operator]

Wow.

[Host]

These kids Definitely are future Dr. Oz's and Sanjay Guptas.

[Caller/911 Operator]

9, 1 1. What's the address of emergency with the transfer? Okay, child's reporting his mother has pains. I'm not sure if they're labor pains. Okay, Are you there? Yes, go ahead. Go ahead and talk to her. Can you tell me exactly what happened? The baby's coming now. He said the baby's coming now. Okay, and are you calling for your mom? Yeah. Okay. Is there anyone else there with you besides your mom? Yes, my sister is 11. Okay. How old is your mom starting to bleed. She's starting to bleed. Okay. Okay. How old is your mom? 36.

[Guest]

Oh, no.

[Caller/911 Operator]

Okay, where did she go? Are you in a different room than her right now? Huh? Are you in a different room from her right now? The baby's already here. It is. Can you put your sister on the phone? The baby was just born. Okay, and who am I talking to now? The 11 year old. Okay, is the baby breathing? Is the baby breathing? He's breathing. A little bit, but he's not crying now. She said he cried a little bit, but he's not crying now. Okay, Is he still breathing? Yeah. Okay, let your mom know that the paramedics are on the way. Okay? Okay. Okay. Stay in the line. Don't hang up. Okay. Okay. Is the baby crying or breathing? Is the baby breathing? Yeah, yeah, yeah, he's breathing. He's not crying. Okay, what I need you to do is I need you to get a clean towel and you need that? You need what? A towel. I took a towel. I have a towel. Okay, make sure. Okay. Make sure she wipes off the baby's mouth and nose. Wipe off the baby's mouth and nose. She's wiping off his nose. Okay, and then dry the baby off with the clean towel. Dry the baby off with the clean towel. And then get another clean towel and wrap the baby with it. Okay. Get another clean towel and wrap the baby in it. And cover the baby's head but not its face. Huh? Make sure that you cover the baby's head but not its face. Make sure you cover his head, not his face. Yeah, not his head. I mean his head. Not safe. What is your mom doing right now? She's holding the baby. Okay. What? You said okay. Is she laying down? No, she's standing up.

[Guest]

Oh my God.

[Host]

Super mom.

[Caller/911 Operator]

Can you make sure that she's laying down? Okay. Okay. They said to make sure you're laying down and tell her to be careful not to pull too tight on the cord. She said that she's bleeding everywhere. Okay. Okay. That's why we need her to lay down. Okay, okay. She. They said that's why they need her. You to lay down.

[Host]

Now The.

[Caller/911 Operator]

Wow, fascinating.

[Host]

It's. That was the easy part. Oh, really? Because remember how she said don't pull too hard on the cord?

[Caller/911 Operator]

Oh, no.

[Host]

Apparently it's a big deal if they cord separates without like a medical professional there because then somebody needs to tie it. Oh, and if you only got a 9 year old and 11 year old,

[Caller/911 Operator]

the 11 year old has to tie It. Oh, no. Okay. And when your mom is laying down, still make sure that you don't pull on the cord too tight. Okay? Okay. And just lay the baby in the mother's arms on her belly. Okay. She said don't pull the cord too tight. The cord's not huffed. The cord is dangling from her. From the baby. Yeah. Okay. Whoa. Okay. And just make sure that you keep the baby and the mother warm. Okay. Okay. Okay. Now listen carefully, and I'll tell you exactly what to do next. Okay. Okay. Without pulling on the cord, tie a string or shoelace tightly around the umbilical cord about 6 inches from the baby. Okay. Do not cut it. Okay. So go get a string or a shoelace and tell me when you have that done. Okay? Okay. Okay. Do you have a string now? Yeah, I have a string. Okay, so you're gonna tie. What do I do? Okay, you're gonna tie it tightly around the umbilical cord about 6 inches from the baby, but do not cut it. I have to tie it around the umbilical cord about 6 inches. Do it now and tell me when it's done. Okay. Okay. Is the door unlocked? The front door. If you can send your little sister to go unlock the door. Okay. Okay, it's unlocked. I'm getting the scissors. Okay. Okay. What are you gonna use the scissors for? Okay, just make sure you don't cut the umbilical cord at all. Okay. She said don't cut the umbilical cord at all. And let me know when you have the string tighter on umbilical cord. Okay. Are you still there? Yes, she's still. She's still here. She's trying to. Okay. She's doing a really great job. How are you doing? Okay. Are you. Are you sitting down or laying down? Okay, it looks like they're parking out front right now. Okay. But stay on the line with me until they're there with you. Okay.

[Guest]

So they told her. I was like, how does she know they're parking out front?

[Caller/911 Operator]

It looks like the fire department's parking outside right now. Okay. Okay. Okay. Did you get the string tied around the cord? Yeah. Okay.

[Host]

They're parallel parking. It takes a minute.

[Caller/911 Operator]

Is that the fire department? Yeah. Okay, I'll go ahead and let you go. Okay. You did a great job. Thank you. Okay, bye. Bye. Bye.

[Guest]

I mean, those are parts that you don't Normally see at 11 and have to touch and deal with. She was so calm too.

[Host]

And how about Mom? Yeah, she's standing over there standing down.

[Guest]

Good Lord, honey.

[Host]

Hey, Tasha. Welcome to the bird show.

[Labor and Delivery Nurse]

Hey, I was just gonna say that that poor 11 year old was like, she was very calm, but I think she was in shock, you know, because she couldn't, she couldn't do anything without being prompted. But I just want to say, mom, you know, I'm glad they're okay. Have been more responsible. I was a labor and delivery nurse for a long time. Your, your labors are about halfway. They were with your first child. Each child you have, you can pretty much bet you could go to Vegas and bet your labor would be about half of what it was with the previous child. And living in Atlanta, I told all my friends, I'm like, if you gotta get on 400 and you start hurting at 1 o', clock, go. Don't wait till 4 o', clock, go to the hospital. You know, I mean, just be responsible. So I'm glad it turned out okay. But yeah, there's some predictability to it.

[Guest]

So I think the 11 year old was probably calm in shock, but also calm because she had a little sister that she was probably trying to be strong for too.

[Host]

Later in the news report, both kids thought it was really cool that the brother was born in the bathroom. That was what they thought was neat about it. Yeah, I thought it was cool that he was born at home. That's kind of neat.

[Guest]

Wow.

[Caller/911 Operator]

Wow.

[Guest]

I just never want to hear my mom have to make those noises, you know.

[Host]

Hey, the bird show.