A Guest Editorial from Two Grateful Croton Parents -- by Taryn and Mike Beato

Thanks to First Responders from Croton and Ossining, a sudden and unexpected home birth in Croton-on-Hudson turned out happily. The baby's parents tell their story and express their gratitude.

When we moved to Croton in February of 2021, we already knew there was something special about this town. Its natural beauty and small-town charm drew us in, but what ultimately stood out was the immediate sense of community. There is a kindness among Croton residents, a feeling of support and inclusion we hadn’t experienced anywhere else. Neighbors become fast friends, artists support each other’s work, people stop to say hello when you walk your dog or work in your garden. 

Community members look out for each other because they truly care: there are people who have devoted their life’s work, or their free time, (and often both), to the safety and well being of others. There are doctors’ and dentists’ offices right in the heart of town. Many of the town’s first responders, including the entire fire department, are volunteers.

At the Croton Fire Department’s open house, our toddler got to play games and see magic and ride in his very first fire truck. When he started tee-ball, his team was sponsored by the Croton Police Department. When we’ve needed doctors for any number of things, especially during the uncertainty of Covid-19, we’ve never had to look very far to find the best care.

And when our second child, our new baby boy, decided to join the world in a most surprising way, we were able to see what these incredible people really do, far beyond just enriching the community. They truly save lives.

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On the morning of August 19th, Taryn woke up having contractions. With this being our second child, we already knew that any “birth plan” you carefully craft goes out the window once the big day actually arrives. We also knew that it’s never quite like the movies – though on this we were very wrong. 

We were minutes away from leaving for the hospital when everything started to intensify. What had been a seemingly normal progression of labor had taken a sharp turn to excruciating pain and sudden dread. In what can only really be described as something out of a movie, we delivered our baby ourselves, at home, without doctors, nurses, any supplies, or any kind of pain medication whatsoever. Mike was on the phone with 911 dispatch when the baby was born into his arms.

In a matter of minutes, the Croton Police Department arrived, followed in quick succession by the Croton Fire Department, multiple Croton EMS personnel, and the Ossining Paramedic Fly Car. Our home was filled with first responders, each person helping in their own way, wrapping the baby in a warming blanket, cutting the cord, helping Taryn into a wheelchair and stretcher and then into the ambulance. Once at the hospital, the paramedics stayed with us until we were safely in the maternity ward and NICU and under the care of the most wonderful nurses. From start to finish, this dramatic and scary day was punctuated by the reminder of why we love this community so much, and how thankful we are to live in a place that cares so deeply for its residents, whether in an emergency like ours or at the many community events we’ve had the pleasure of experiencing.

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If you are reading this and were one of the first responders involved that day, we cannot thank you enough. There are no adequate words to express our gratitude and appreciation for everything – from the speed at which you arrived at the scene, to the calming presence you immediately provided, to the incredible care you gave us and our little guy. While it was never our intention to deliver our baby under these circumstances, we are certain that the entire experience was immeasurably better because of you. 

So, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our grateful hearts to:

60 Control, who stayed on the phone with Mike and walked him through everything he needed to do until help arrived,

The Croton Police Department, 

The Croton Fire Department,

Croton EMS,

The Ossining Paramedic Fly Car,

The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 

And the two first responders who rode in the back of the ambulance with Taryn and the baby for the 25 minute drive to the hospital. In what would have otherwise been a time of panic, fear, and pain, you made the ride as comfortable as possible, caring for our baby and putting Taryn at ease. 

We will always think of you all as our baby’s (and our) guardian angels; it’s safe to say we don’t know how we would have gotten through anything that day without you.

With love and gratitude,

Taryn and Mike Beato

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