Real life: Mum delivers premature baby on the side of a highway
“The umbilical cord was actually wrapped around the baby’s neck twice"
A mum who gave birth to a premature baby on the Centenary Highway has thanked the midwife who guided her through the delivery by phone – and saved her daughter’s life.
Marsden couple Elijah and Courtney Tapiki began driving to the Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane last Wednesday (March 1) when Courtney’s contractions suddenly began nine weeks before their new baby’s due date.
“I dropped my daughter to school and was waiting for my husband to come back from work as I was feeling some contractions,” explained Courtney.
“But we were only minutes from our home when my contractions started to get closer. I thought, ‘This baby is coming right now!”
Courntey gave birth to her premature baby on a Queensland highway.
The mum-of-four phoned for an ambulance as her husband kept driving towards the hospital and then used another mobile phone to contact Mater Mothers’ Hospital.
She spoke to Mater midwife Madonna Beirne, who guided her through a very fast delivery.
“I only pushed once and the baby came out – I didn’t even have time to take my underwear off!” said Courtney.
But although the baby – whom Courtney and Elijah has named Patience – was born quickly, she was still in considerable danger.
“I only pushed once and the baby came out – I didn’t even have time to take my underwear off!”
Midwife Madonna Beirne said Courtney was anxious over the phone as she coached her through the delivery, which happened just before the Forest Lake and Inala motorway exit.
“The umbilical cord was actually wrapped around the baby’s neck twice as she was born,” said Mrs Beirne.
“I explained to Courtney and Elijah how they needed to unwrap the cord and made sure they continuously checked on her breathing and skin colour and kept her warm,” said Mrs Beirne.
While it is not the first time Mrs Beirne has helped a mum deliver a baby while on the phone, she was thankful when a Queensland Ambulance Service crew arrived on the scene and transported mother and baby to Mater Mothers’ for hospital care.
“The umbilical cord was actually wrapped around the baby’s neck twice as she was born,” said midwife Madonna Beirne.
“We had quite a bit of time to chat on the phone while they waited for the ambulance and I joked they should call the baby Madonna, but Courtney said she wanted to name her Patience – because her baby didn’t have any!” Mrs Beirne laughed.
Baby Patience weighed 1.96kg and is currently receiving around the-clock care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“She is our miracle baby,” said Courtney. “We are so lucky she survived being born so early and without any breathing assistance until we arrived at Mater.”
