AFMC Command News

Deployed Airman witnesses daughter's birth via Internet

  • Published
  • By Lisa Camplin
  • 95th Security Forces Squadron
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Deployments are an inevitable reality for those serving in today's Air Force. Families regularly expect and prepare to spend time apart. 

Fortunately, today's advancements in webcams, digital recorders, and camera phones are helping military families overcome geographical boundaries and stay connected. 

Airman 1st Class Roger Prokes, 95th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, deployed earlier this year while his wife, Janelle, was expecting their first child. Airman Prokes knew he would miss most of the pregnancy but remained hopeful he would return in time for the birth.

"Just in case my husband wasn't back, I had spoken with the director of labor and delivery at my hospital about using a webcam during delivery," Mrs. Prokes said.

Mrs. Prokes entered San Antonio Community Hospital in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., for a Caesarean section on Sept. 11.

"I went in for surgery around 7:30 a.m. and I was very scared," Mrs. Prokes said. "The staff had the computer and webcam already set up when I got in there. All the nurses and doctors talked to me and calmed me down and the nurses ensured they were typing what I wanted to my husband through MSN Messenger." 

The San Antonio Community had never used a webcam to broadcast a live birth before. Because of this and the Prokes' unique situation, it became an emotional event for all involved. In fact, the staff was so empathetic to Mrs. Prokes they distributed patriotic surgical hats to wear during the procedure. Emma Prokes was born at 8:25 a.m., weighing  six pounds, 14 ounces, as her father watched live from Iraq. 

"My husband was able to watch Emma's birth with the help of the Red Cross," Mrs. Prokes said. "He reserved a room for four hours and was able to see the whole surgery."

Airman Prokes is extremely grateful he was able to witness Emma's birth and be supportive of his wife. Mrs. Prokes was grateful too, and stated this deployment has been very difficult for them both due to a complicated pregnancy. 

"I felt very scared to be a mother for the first time especially since my husband is deployed," she said. "But it was very special that he was able to see the birth of our first child being so far across the world with a 10 hour time difference." 

"I can't wait for him to meet Emma. Being a mother is the most amazing thing I have ever felt," said Mrs. Prokes. "I'll know all the suffering was worth it the minute I see him holding her for the first time."