Geelong mum celebrates first Mother’s Day by thanking Ambulance Victoria paramedics

New mum Emily began celebrations for her first Mother’s Day by thanking the Ambulance Victoria paramedics who helped her and husband Jeremy deliver their son Hugh in an unplanned homebirth.

The morning of August 24 started out like any other day. When husband Jeremy, a paralympic triathlete, returned from a run – that he makes clear he did ask for permission to go on – Emily had begun experiencing contractions.

“They were still around 10 minutes apart, but they felt like they were ramping up. Jeremy moved the car closer to the front door so we could get to hospital, but I didn’t feel like I could do it,” Emily said.

Realising they needed help to get to hospital, Jeremy dialled Triple Zero (000). He calmly followed the Triple Zero Victoria Emergency Communications Officer’s instructions to help guide Emily with the safe delivery of Hugh.

“We still thought we had plenty of time and that they would get me to hospital before the birth. But from the time we called Triple Zero (000), my contractions went from being 10 minutes apart to Hugh being born in the span of about five minutes,” Emily said.

“The paramedics arrived about 30 seconds later and we had a baby to show them. Hugh did his first cry as they were arriving.

“It was so reassuring to see them. We knew we were in good hands and they’d make sure everything was going to be ok.”

Ambulance Victoria Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics arrived and began assessing newborn Hugh and Emily.

“Our main goal was keeping the baby warm, making sure both mum and baby’s vital signs were stable, and making sure mum was comfortable,” Ambulance Victoria ALS paramedic Dakotah said.

“We also focused on trying to keep it a nice, heartwarming moment for the family, so building rapport with mum and dad and making them feel comfortable was really important.

“We’re always a bit anxious when we’re called to a birth because things can go wrong and you don’t know if mum or baby, or both, could be sick. But this birth went so smoothly so it feels great to have been part of it.

“One of the hardest things about our job is not often hearing what happens to our patients, so it’s special to see how the family is going with their first baby and for their first Mother’s Day.

“It’s also really nice to get a thank you – their support of us is really kind and I feel very grateful.”

On Sunday 10 May, Emily will celebrate her first Mother’s Day with little Hugh, who is now a happy and cheeky eight-month-old.

“Mother’s Day has always been a special day in my family so being able to experience it as a mum myself will be extra special,” Emily said.

“I’m excited to start creating Mother’s Day memories with my own child, like my mum has with me over the years.”