Firefighter Delivers His First Grandchild When Daughter Stops By Fire Station To Use The Bathroom

Mar 31, 2023

Long-serving firefighter Bret Langston of Austell in Georgia has delivered dozens of babies as part of his work as a first responder, but the birth of a baby girl on Feb. 10, 2023, at his fire station, will be forever marked as truly a special delivery. The unexpected birth was that of his first grandchild, Adalynn. 

The firefighter was on one of his 24-hour duties when his 18-year-old pregnant daughter, Hannah Langston, stopped by that morning for a quick use of the fire station's bathroom. Hannah was actually on the way to the birthing center with her mother, April Langston, and the father of her baby, Christopher Williams, because she was experiencing the early stages of labor. 

Hannah thought she had plenty of time as she was aware that this stage might take multiple hours, especially for first births. According to the Mayo Clinic, some first-time moms may be in early labor for "hours to days," but then this phase may be highly unpredictable as well. 

The young mother woke up at dawn with some contractions, but she did not make a big deal of it. Later that morning, she and Williams, along with April, thought it best to head to the birthing center. On the way there, however, April said they should stop by her husband's fire station so Hannah could take a bathroom break. 

However, once Hannah was out of the car, she immediately knew that the baby was coming and they won't be able to make it to the birthing center. Her father took control of the situation right away. 

Bret led his daughter to his bunk and prepared the obstetrical kit. The other firefighters also started helping out by preparing stuff Bret would need for the baby's birth.

Within 10 minutes of Hannah coming into the fire station, she delivered Adalynn with her father and her doula, who was also on the way to the birthing center. About a dozen firefighters, who are like family to the Langstons, were also able to hear the baby’s first cry. There were tears and cheers at the fire station.

Hannah said that Adalynn's birth was "shocking." She weighed a healthy 7 pounds and 2 ounces. 

"They put her on my chest and at first, I was just shocked," Hannah told Good Morning America. "I looked at her and just looked around the room and I was like, 'Oh my God!’”  

On the other hand, the new grandfather knew he and Adalynn would have a unique bond, and he couldn't wait for her to be old enough to visit the fire station as often as she could. He also said that he would remember this birth forever. 

"It became a little emotional for me because while this is my daughter and my granddaughter," Brett said. "She picked a peculiar place to enter the world, but it was very sweet and it's something that I will never forget."

Bret has been a firefighter for 28 years, and as a dad of six kids, he told 11 Alive that he loves responding to emergency calls to assist in a baby's delivery. He always wondered what happened to those babies, but this time, he will be able to experience the baby grow up since it's his granddaughter. 

The family was "over the moon." Just 12 days after her birth, Adalynn visited her grandfather at work. Hannah said they would keep coming back to the place where her daughter was born, and Bret said Adalyn would always have a seat at the table where the firefighters frequently share meals. 

Were you cheering for the family too? Can you imagine Bret's emotions at that time? This was indeed one special and memorable birth for the Langtons! Tell someone about this beautiful birth by passing the story along!