ATTLEBORO -- When Leslie Blanchette of Attleboro gave birth to a baby named Kaleb at 8:47 a.m. on May 8, her husband was by her side -- on video feed.

Robert Blanchette, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Qatar, was present through the wonder of video camera and telephone to meet Kaleb, who entered the world weighing 7 pounds, 12 3/4 ounces.

Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island in Pawtucket, where Kaleb was born, teamed up with the Air Force to help make it all possible.

During labor, Leslie Blanchette was able to see her husband on the video telephone, and during the actual birth, which happened very quickly, they were able to hear each other's voices. The camera recorded the event for a keepsake.

Maj. Christopher Hamilton and Master Sgt. Elinor Brosseau helped organize the videocast in Rhode Island and the Air Force's Robert Miller coordinated the videocast in Qatar with Blanchette. The Air Force provided the video telephone equipment and Memorial Hospital staff provided a speaker to plug into the telephone in place of the hand set so that the family could speak easily to each other.

Several birthing center and hospital staff workers also assisted.

The Blanchettes practiced with the equipment along with Memorial staff and Air Force contacts a couple of weeks before the actual birth.

Leslie Blanchette grew up in Norton and is a graduate of Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton, where she now teaches animal science. Robert Blanchette is employed by Citizens Bank in Rhode Island and is a member of the police auxiliary in Attleboro.

Kaleb's grandparents are Jane and Ron Brown, originally from Norton and now retired -- spending half the year in Florida and half in New Hampshire -- and Mary and Harvey Blanchette of Attleboro. Mother and baby are doing fine.

`` The dedicated and thoughtful staff at Memorial Hospital made my labor and delivery experience run smoothly,'' Leslie Blanchette said.

`` The smaller and more intimate atmosphere was a plus and being able to have my husband partly there meant so much to our family.''