Estella Naicker
“Oh cr*p, she’s going into labour,” was Shaylene Pieters’ understandable reaction when she realised her responsibilities as general assistant manager at Natal Spa might extend to delivering a baby in the hotel.
Simphiwe Ngwenya, a cleaner at Natal Spa wasn’t due for another month, so when she began to feel pain while performing her usual duties, she tried her best to ignore it and complete her chores. However, she was soon bleeding and unable to walk, sitting on the bathroom floor of the hotel.
“The staff called me because I have first aid level three training. Theoretically, I learned about it but I had never delivered a baby before. Simphiwe was very uncomfortable so we got her onto a soft mattress in the linen room. Our intention was to make her comfortable until the ambulance got here,” said Shaylene.
In the minutes that followed, Simphiwe became increasingly distressed, and Shaylene helped her remove her undergarments. Soon afterward, Simphiwe’s water broke.
“We were begging her not to push and to wait for the ambulance. Then her water broke and I saw the head crowning and I ran to get the first aid kit but when I returned, the baby had been born,” said Natal Spa reservationist, Silindile Mtshali. “By the time the ambulance got here, Simphiwe was fine and was walking around. The baby was the cutest thing ever.”
Shaylene was grateful to have Virtue Mdlalose to assist her with the delivery of the baby. Virtue is a recently hired part-time waitress who is training to be a nurse.
“Virtue helped cut the umbilical cord, we patted the baby to make sure he was breathing properly and we wrapped him in a towel to keep him warm,” continued Shaylene. “From start to birth was only about 15 minutes but helping to bring this baby into the world was the most amazing feeling. Over and above the panic and the adrenaline, it was amazing to know that I brought this baby into the world perfectly healthy and happy.”
“Now I can say that I have seen and done it all at Natal Spa,” she laughed.
Simphiwe has named her adorable baby boy, Bonele.
