Massachusetts officer uses training and experience to help deliver baby

Officer Ashley Baldwin used two careers worth of training and experience to help a mother-to-be deliver a healthy baby girl at home last Thursday.

On Thursday, Aug. 19 at 3:09 a.m., Melrose Police and Fire were called to respond to a home in the neighborhood near the Lincoln School for a report of a woman in active labor. Upon arrival, minutes later, Officer Baldwin found a 38-year-old expectant mother in advanced stages of labor. Using her training and experience as not only a police officer but also as a registered nurse, Officer Baldwin determined that the baby’s arrival was imminent, and that she had to take immediate action to assist both patients.

Officer Baldwin assisted in delivery of a healthy baby girl and tended to the new mom to ensure she was OK before handing both off to the Melrose Fire Department, which transported them to a local hospital. They were released over the weekend and returned home.

The baby girl, named Avery, reunited with Officer Baldwin during a meeting at the Melrose Police Department on Tuesday.

“Officer Baldwin represents an evolving brand of police officer. She is highly-educated, with a focus on health and wellness as well as safety and law enforcement,” Chief Lyle said. “I am very pleased with her work, delivering professional services and care to the citizens of Melrose. We are fortunate to have people like Officer Baldwin in our ranks.”

Officer Baldwin joined the department in December after completing the Lowell Police Academy. Prior to joining the Melrose Police Department, Officer Baldwin was an Emergency Department nurse at Winchester Hospital, and she currently also works at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Emergency Department.

“We are proud of Officer Baldwin for her outstanding work and are excited to welcome this beauty baby girl into the world,” added Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur.