Beale medics delivering hope in trying times

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jason W. Cochran
  • 9RW/PA

The coronavirus pandemic has brought about untold amounts of pain and uncertainty across the globe.

For the Dumbeck family, a source of joy and hope came to them on June 6th in a way that Recce Town rarely sees.

On June 5, Breanna Dumbeck was in her bathroom trying to get through the pain. She spent hours trying to get through it, but eventually Breanna and her husband, Airman 1st Class Robert Dumbeck, 9th Maintenance Squadron Aircrew Systems Egress journeyman, made the decision to go to a hospital.

“We decided to go to Sutter Davis which was one hour away,” said Breanna. “We arrived and I got taken back into a room where they monitored my contractions. A nurse checked me and determined I wasn’t ready to be admitted and sent me home.”

On June 6 at 5:30 a.m. the Dumbecks arrived home. Robert helped Breanna make her way back inside.

“When we got home my husband went immediately to bed because he hadn’t slept for about a day and we thought we’d have more time because the nurse confidently sent us back home knowing it was an hour away,” said Breanna. “As my husband slept I spent the hours crawling in and out of bed for relief from the pain.”

At some point Breanna was able to get in bed, but unable to lay down as it made the pain much worse.

At 11:30 p.m. Robert finally woke up, just in time too, because the contractions were beginning to get unbearable for Breanna.

“I had wanted a natural birth, in a bathing tub, but I found myself cursing out every natural birthing book and video that said that it was a peaceful experience,” said Breanna. “At around 1 p.m. something felt different and I started crying out in pain and suddenly, my water had broken. My husband and I looked up at each other, me still gripping his hand, him kneeling beside me as we looked at each other wide eyed with fear and excitement.”

It was a quiet day at Firestation #2 for Tricia Edmondson, 9th Healthcare Operations Squadron paramedic. Then she was called out for a woman in labor.

“I thought it was probably a false labor call, as we tend to get those often,” said Edmonson. “Once I entered the house and saw my patient sitting in the bathroom, I quickly realized we were not leaving this house without a baby in mommy's arms. This baby was not going to wait.”

Three pushes later at 2:11 a.m. on June 6, Evangeline Dumbeck was born in the Dumbeck home on Beale Air Force Base.

“That entire pregnancy was one of uncertainty amidst a pandemic, the rise of Black Lives Matter protest, and birthing at home,” said Breanna. “I feel as though history is unfolding before my eyes and my child will be able to say that she was born during all of this.”