Ankeny medics deliver baby in family's bathroom

An Ankeny couple's second baby came earlier than expected — so early, they didn't have time to get to the hospital.

"We were not planning a home birth. That was for sure," said Stacy McLean, father to a baby boy delivered by Ankeny medics Monday morning.

Stacy was about to leave for work at Auto Jet Mufflers when wife Kosha's contractions started at about 6 a.m.

"She pretty much knew we weren't going to make it to the hospital," McLean said.

Emergency responders arrived soon after he called 911, finding the couple in the bathroom, right when Kosha's water broke. Paramedic Justin Vander Leest stepped up to deliver the child.

It was Vander Leest's first delivery during his seven-year career. Although Vander Leest said his training prepared him for the moment, he said it's nothing like the real thing.

"It's hard to describe, but sometimes this job can be kind of tough. I guess it was one of those calls that when you see joy on the parents' faces, it really makes the job worth it," said Vander Leest, an expectant father himself.

The healthy baby took his first breaths in his new home in the 5200 block of Northeast Briarwood Drive.

The couple already have a 2-year-old son. McLean said he has heard that a mother's second delivery is often speedier than her first.

"This guy sure did come quicker," he said.

The couple haven't selected a name yet, but they are excited to take some holiday time off to figure that out, McLean said.

Kosha told the Register that she wanted to thank the Ankeny team for their quick response and great work.

Ankeny Deputy Chief Frank Prowant said the department gets about one baby delivery call out of the 3,000 calls for service each year.

"I think our people lived up to their training," Prowant said.