Baby Genevieve’s surprise ambulance arrival

Carrum Downs mother Carla Atkins never expected her first child would arrive in the back of an ambulance – just a day after doctors considered inducing labour.

That all changed very quickly, when just the next morning baby Genevieve was born after four pushes, in an ambulance pulled over on the side of the road.

At 38 weeks pregnant, Carla began experiencing cramps early on March 27. Within a few hours, her labour had progressed rapidly. By the time her husband had made it home from work and her mum had arrived, the contractions were quickly increasing in frequency and they were worried they couldn’t make it to hospital, so called Triple Zero (000).

Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics Tenesha Johnson and Alex McLay arrived quickly and after an assessment, thought they had some time before the birth.

“She wasn’t in what we call imminent labour, so we chose to get her in the ambulance and start getting her to hospital as quickly as possible,” Tenesha said.

“We were about four minutes from hospital and she started grunting and suddenly the baby’s head was right there.

“I pulled the ambulance over on the side of the road and Carla ended up having her baby very quickly – she flew out!”

Despite the dramatic birth, little Genevieve arrived safe and healthy with no complications.

It was both Tenesha and Alex’s first childbirth during their careers, and Alex said they were well prepared for the additional challenge of suddenly having two patients instead of one.

“We needed to observe them both, checking their vital signs and making sure both baby and mum’s condition was stable until we got them to hospital,” Alex said.

“We dried Genevieve off and put her onto mum’s chest, and we delayed cord clamping at the request of mum.”

For Carla, it was nothing like how she had planned her first childbirth.

“It was a very fast and unexpected delivery. I thought I’d have 24 hours of labour ahead of me. If I’d known she was half an hour away, I wouldn’t have complained as much about the pain!” she said.

Genevieve is now a calm and happy seven-month-old and got to meet the paramedics who helped her into the world.

“It was special for all of us – my first child and both Tenesha and Alex’s first childbirth as paramedics. For them to be part of the start of her life is very special for us,” Carla said.

“Thank you to them both for their patience and understanding. They were extremely calming for me. I’m so grateful they were there and that everything went so smoothly.

“Genevieve always has a smile on her face, and she sleeps through the night. She is a dream baby.”

Alex said it was a special case to be a part of.

“At the time, my wife was also pregnant with our second baby. Being a dad myself, it’s a special one because I know how much it means,” he said.

“I’m sure she didn’t plan on giving birth in the back of an ambulance, but it was very cool to be a part of. A highlight of my career.”

Similarly for Tenesha, the case is a memorable one.

“It was a little bit emotional – I remember tearing up,” she said.

“It feels closer to home now because I’m expecting my first baby, which is special.

“Carla was the star of the show. She handled it all very well.”