A first-time mom and dad were forced to share the momentous occasion of the birth of their first daughter through FaceTime due to the coronavirus.
Colby Boltz is a member of the U.S. Air National Guard and is stationed in Southwest Asia. Colby was scheduled to be home for the birth of his first daughter. However, just weeks before his daughter’s due date they were informed that because of the COVID-19 pandemic his return was delayed by 60 days.
Like any first-time mom, the idea of having to go through childbirth without her husband by her side unsettled Paige. Even more frightening was the thought she may have to go through her first childbirth completely alone due to new policies within the hospital because of the coronavirus.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Paige admitted how unnerving it all was for her. “I felt pretty scared, I’m a nurse, too, so I wasn’t really too concerned … [but] they were saying that I might not be able to have anybody in the hospital room at all. Going into a room to deliver alone is scary.”
Hoping for support and a way to be there for his wife and daughter, Colby reached out to the United Services Organization (USO) to see if there was anything they could do to help. The USO is a nonprofit organization that offers support for U.S. military members and their families.
The USO was able to help Colby be there for his wife during childbirth and witness his daughter being born… virtually.
The USO set Colby up with a special room and good Wi-Fi, so he could FaceTime during the birth of his daughter.
They were so thankful that it worked, Paige said. “He didn’t say much, but he cried when he heard [Stella]. I felt like that was it, that’s my moment.”
Colby was extremely grateful for the USO and their support during all of this. Without them, he would have missed a once-in-a-lifetime event, the birth of his first daughter.
“Because of them, I was able to see her birth, hear her first cry, and be able to support my wife while making the distance seem not so far,” Colby shared.
We are so happy that it all worked out for the Boltz family, and we thank them both for their sacrifices while Colby serves our country.
Welcome to the world Stella Rosalee Boltz!