THE quick thinking of a a dentist, his assistants, a local resident and an obstetrician helped successfully deliver a baby at a dental clinic on Blackburn Road on Tuesday last week. Ivy Mushayi, who lives on Buxton Road, was in a taxi, when she began experiencing severe tummy pains. Not knowing where to turn, she decided to visit her roommate, Sarah, who works at the dentist’s office. Ivy went into labour as she entered the reception area.

The baby boy, Jayden, who is premature, is being hailed as a miracle and is currently recovering at Addington Hospital. Dr Anesh Maharaj, who has been a dentist for 30 years, said this was the first time something like this had ever happened. Maharaj not only, caught the baby but also delivered the placenta and cut the umbilical cord.

‘I was extracting a tooth’ Dentist

“I was busy extracting a patient’s tooth when I heard a commotion in the reception room. When I walked out, Ivy was on the carpet in the reception area, her water had broken and she was ready to deliver. She had come to see one of the nurses, who she is related to, because she needed help. I must say I was a bit apprehensive at first because I’ve never done anything like this. But we all focused on our tasks because we knew we had to do something to help the baby and mom. I got the nurses to get towels and water.

“Ivy was remarkably strong throughout the labour, this was her third natural birth. The whole time we monitored her blood pressure. I even had one a doctor, Dr Mags Moodley, who has a practice in the area on the line, telling me what to do in order to deliver the baby. We all waited with bated breath when the baby crowned, and it was such a hugh relief hearing his cry as he entered the world. It was just amazing how everything worked out, this was truly a miracle birth, there were so many factors that could have gone wrong,” he said.

Maharaj also praised Dr Sagi Gounden who also assisted during the delivery.

‘We had to be calm for her’ former employer and friend

GLEN Anil resident, Debbie da Canha, was near Blackburn Road when she got a panicked call from her domestic worker.

“I got a call from Cecilia, Ivy’s sister who explained the situation. I asked where she was and I immediately phoned Ivy’s phone, one of the nurses at the dentist’s office picked up and told me where to come. I rushed down and when I got to the reception area, I heard Ivy’s moans. I immediately got behind her to support her, I knew she couldn’t be flat on her back for a long time due to the risk of hindering the oxygen flow to her baby and I couldn’t let her lie unsupported. I also needed to reassure her by being close to her.

“I remember shouting there’s the head. Ivy was so strong throughout the delivery, as Jayden was born, she just exclaimed ‘thank you Jesus, my baby is OK’. We all had to be calm for her, because it’s so easy to freak out, but we were there by her side all the way through. I have to agree with Dr Maharaj, this is a miracle birth. Everything just fell into place which was amazing. He even did a little wee on us to let us know everything is working as Dr Maharaj cut the cord. It made us all laugh at such a stressful time,” she said.

‘Jayden is strong and is recovering’ roommate

IVY’S roommate, Sarah Table, said Jayden, who was born three months premature, is in good health.

“We are housemates, and when I saw her walking into the offices, I thought she came for the key. I think we were all excited when Jayden was born, there was a sense of calm and it’s such a beautiful moment seeing a mother hold up her child,” Table said.

Hasina Mitha, another nurse, also on duty, said there was huge sigh of relief when Jayden was born.

“When we found out that he was premature, we were worried that he wouldn’t be able to breathe on his own, but hearing his cry just brought about this calmness and joy in the group. It was lovely to be part of such a special moment,” Mitha said.