Woman gives birth in Stella Road, Ballito
The 22-year-old full-term woman was walking with her husband to meet her brother-in-law when the baby went "knock knock, I'm here".
Saving lives is a daily mandate for paramedics, but delivering babies on the side of the road is not a regular occurrence.
Last Saturday Armand Herbst and Tyron Pillay of Medi Response found themselves charged with the critical role of midwives to ensure the safe arrival of a baby girl on a pavement in Ballito.
Herbst said they received a call about a woman in labour on Stella Road. When they arrived, she was already giving birth.
“The head was showing, so we realised there was no other way but to help her deliver on the side of the road. Thankfully neighbours came out with towels to help cover up the scene,” said Herbst.
The 22-year-old full-term woman was walking with her husband to meet her brother-in-law when the baby went “knock knock, I’m here”.
The mother and healthy baby were transported to hospital and both parents were relieved that their daughter’s sudden arrival had gone smoothly.
Herbst has been working as a paramedic for seven years and has delivered eight babies so far.
“But all of them were in a suitable environment, usually in a house or hospital during my practicals. But this was a significant incident. However, as paramedics we learn to focus on helping the patient no matter what environment or situation we find ourselves in,” said the 30-year-old.
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