New dad in frantic roadside delivery

A FIRST-TIME dad who was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his new son got a little more than he was expecting on Friday when he was forced to deliver the baby five weeks ahead of schedule - on the side of the road near Killarney.

With his phone battery critically low, Owen Reen (20) took vital instructions from paramedics after his partner Rebecca realised she wasn’t going to make it from their home in Rathmore to the hospital in Tralee before the baby arrived.

Having been advised by the ambulance crew to pull in two miles from Killarney, Owen frantically followed orders over his phone, which by then had just one per cent battery life left.

Thankfully, Owen safely delivered the baby at the scene, before tying the umbilical chord with his shoe lace and wrapping baby Jayden in a jumper that was in the car.

Minutes later, the ambulance arrived to take mom and baby to Tralee, where Jayden will remain for a little while longer in the expert care of the nurses in the Emly Ward.

This week, Owen paid tribute to the paramedic who talked him through the delivery on Friday.

NEW dad Owen Reen got a crash-course in fatherhood on Friday last when he was forced to deliver his son five weeks early at the side of the road near Killarney.

The 20-year-old Rathmore man found himself taking instructions from ambulance personnel over a near-dead mobile phone as he and his partner Rebecca attempted to make their way to hospital in Tralee.

Owen told The Kerryman that he got a call from Rebecca complaining of pains, but the thought of their baby actually arriving never really crossed their minds as he wasn’t due for another five weeks.

Baby Jayden clearly had other ideas and before the couple had even got to Killarney, Owen was advised by ambulance personnel to stop the car and deliver the baby himself.

Despite having just one per cent battery left on his phone, Owen did what was required.

“To be honest, it all happened so fast I didn’t have time to panic. Adrenalin just kicked in and I did what I had to do,” he said, explaining that he tied the umbilical chord with his shoe lace before wrapping baby Jayden in a jumper that was in the car.

“It was all over in about 10 minutes and the ambulance arrived a few minutes later and Jayden and Rebecca were taken to hospital. They’re both doing fine thank God, but Jayden will be in for another while yet.”

Now that he’s had time to properly reflect on the events of the day, Owen says that great credit is due to the paramedic who talked him through the process to ensure that both his baby and partner were safe.

“I didn’t even get a chance to talk to him properly when the ambulance arrived but he was brilliant and I can’t thank him enough.”

Photo by Domnick Walsh New dad Owen Reen and his partner Rebecca Cremin pictured with baby Jayden who made a dramatic entrance into the world on Friday last when his dad had to deliver him on the side of the road.

LEFT: Rathmore man Owen Reen and his partner Rebecca Cremin pictured here with their new baby Jayden who made a dramatic entrance into the world last Friday when his dad had to deliver him at the side of the road, outside Killarney. Photo by Domnick...