“I only pushed once and the baby came out – I didn’t even have time to take my underwear off.”
Those were the words of Marsden mum Courtney Tapiki who not only gave birth on the side of the Centenary Highway, but was forced to save her baby’s life in the process.
Despite a speedy delivery, the umbilical chord was twice wrapped around the baby’s neck.
Their midwife Madonna Beirne, over the phone, told the parents step-by-step how to save their child.
Mr and Mrs Tapika untangled their baby and were told to keep her warm and check her skin colour until an ambulance arrived.
“She is our miracle baby,” Mrs Tapiki said.
When they gave birth, Mrs Tapaki and husband Elijah were headed to Mater Mothers’ Hospital when Mrs Tapiki first noticed contractions.
Mrs Tapiki, a mother of four, knew she wouldn’t make it to the hospital in time.
So she first called an ambulance and then midwife Ms Beirne.
Fortunately for Mrs Tapiki, Ms Beirne had previous experience in phone deliveries.
Very aptly, the baby was named Patience.
Picture: Courtney with an ambulance officer shortly after giving birth.
