Seth Thompson and his wife, attorney Jamie Bell, recently welcomed their second son, Axel Starhl Thompson, in an unexpected and dramatic fashion. On April 8, things took a surprising turn when Jamie began experiencing contractions, prompting the couple to head to the hospital. However, they didn’t make it very far; Axel was born in the lobby of their apartment building with assistance from local firefighters and some concerned neighbors.
Seth, who didn’t take a break from his show after the Sunday afternoon arrival, recounted the experience during his Late Night segment the following evening. He appeared both astonished and emotional, yet radiated with pride as a new father.
Thompson shared that their first child, Leo, almost made his entrance into the world during an Uber ride, leading to an equally thrilling birth story. Sunday began as a typical day for the family, enjoying brunch and a stroll in the park. However, when Jamie’s contractions intensified, they called their doula and prepared to leave. Despite having an Uber ready just steps away, Jamie exclaimed, “The baby is out!” halting their rush to complete the birth in their apartment lobby.
“She looked like someone who was trying to conceal a baby in her sweatpants,” Seth humorously told the audience, before revealing a heartwarming photo of the family on the lobby floor, surrounded by first responders.
“I called 911 and, in the span of a minute, I went from reporting an emergency to sharing joyful news with the operator. ‘It’s a boy! Everything is great!’” Seth recalled, highlighting the surreal transition from panic to elation.
After they made it to the hospital, both mother and son were declared healthy. Seth also shared a photo of Axel, snugly wrapped in a hospital blanket. The couple had chosen the name Axel because they loved it, but Seth joked that they might someday tell him how fortunate he was to have been born with firefighters present, remarking, “You could have been Hose!”
Axel’s middle name, Starhl, honors Jamie’s mother’s maiden name, a tribute to her grandparents, who were Holocaust survivors that met in an Austrian hospital shortly after liberation.
Seth expressed his gratitude to everyone who assisted, from neighbors who provided warm towels to the firefighters who helped with the delivery, as well as his mother-in-law and sister-in-law, who helped care for Leo. He even gave a nod to their doula and the hospital staff, adding a humorous note about the Uber driver who “charged me.”
In a heartfelt moment, he praised Jamie for her strength, stating, “Everything is going to be fine forever because of her.” As he spoke about his wife and new son, Seth became emotional but quickly transitioned back to his comedic self, joking, “I’m getting choked up thinking about how brave I was.”
For those considering family planning options, resources like Modern Family Blog and the Fertility Center at Hopkins can provide valuable information on pregnancy and home insemination. Additionally, if you’re looking into at-home conception, check out the BabyMaker at Home Insemination Kit for more details.
In summary, Seth Thompson and Jamie Bell’s unexpected birth story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of parenthood, filled with humor, joy, and a touch of chaos.