Police Deliver Baby Girl Who Couldn't Wait In Bound Brook Home

BOUND BROOK, NJ — It was Sunday morning when Shamyrah Tuzo began to feel contractions. This was her third baby, and Tuzo figured she had time. Her daughter had other plans, and Tuzo ended up giving birth in her bathtub with Bound Brook police helping.

"She surprised everyone, it was not in the birth plan," said Tuzo.

On Sunday morning, Tuzo said she knew she was in labor and had contractions but they weren't close. She went to a wedding and, when she got home, the contractions began to come closer and closer.

That's when she told her husband it was time to head over to the hospital, and they called her friend Sarenah to watch her other two kids.

"My plan was to labor at home until I really had to go to the hospital and get the epidural. I didn't want to be [at the hospital] so long," said Tuzo. "I went into the tub to relax — and when I tried to get up to leave, I couldn't stand up no more."

Her body just felt so heavy that she couldn't bear the weight. Tuzo's husband, Andre, dialed 911.

Bound Brook Patrolman Denis Sabal along with Acting Sgt. Frank Waller and Patrolmen Jeff Clyne and Fabriel Polo all arrived within 2 to 3 minutes of the call at 9:58 p.m. at Tuzo's home on Lamonte Avenue.

"The mom was already in the tub, already having contractions. Her pain level was high. She said it was a 10," Sabal said.

They were trying to keep Tuzo calm and were waiting for the ambulance.

"Once she saw it was not coming she said, 'I can't wait no more. The baby is coming now.'" said Sabal.

Tuzo's other two children were delivered at a hospital with an epidural, so she was "scared" and "apprehensive of the pain."

"Having the baby at home never crossed my mind. Even when I was sitting in tub. I thought it would take a few hours. I thought I had time. I judged it based on my past pregnancies," said Tuzo.

Sabal got into the bathtub with Tuzo and began coaching her, telling her to scream to let out the pain.

"The pain was manageable, but I remember screaming, 'Oh my God, It hurts!'" said Tuzo.

Shai Sarenah Tuzo was not waiting. After a few pushes, she arrived into the world "extremely fast." She was born around 10:15 p.m. at 7 pounds and 2 ounces.

"The baby started crying and had a cute smile," said Sabal.

Tuzo said part of her always wanted to experience birth without medication but didn't think she could.

After she conquered her fear, Tuzo said she "felt happy. I was crying because I was in shock thinking, 'Did I really just do that?!' It makes you feel really good."

The newborn and mom received basic first aid by officers until EMTs and paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson arrived.

Mom and baby were then taken to the hospital and both are doing well, said Bound Brook Acting Chief of Police Richard Colombaroni.

Sabal previously worked as an officer for Plainfield for a year before transferring to his hometown of Bound Brook. He grew up here and is a volunteer firefighter in the borough, so he was happy to come "back to my community."

Only one month since coming back and his first baby delivery, Sabal said this will always be a good memory for him.

"Their reaction was priceless and amazing," said Sabal. "I am never letting this one go."

Both Tuzo and her husband are extremely thankful to Sabal and the other officers for their speedy and professional help.

"Congratulations to mom, dad and baby! And congratulations to our officers for this once in a career moment!" said Colombaroni.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.