Labour Day comes early for mum with roadside birth

It has been a Labour Weekend with a difference for one mother who unexpectedly gave birth on a Taranaki roadside.

As things were getting serious on Friday morning, the woman’s husband managed to wave down highway police officer Constable Clinton Parker, who lent a hand.

Parker was preparing a routine checkpoint about 8.30am when he spotted a man he thought was behaving suspiciously around a car in Inglewood.

The man then approached Parker, saying his wife was in labour and wouldn’t make it to the hospital.

An ambulance and other help were on the way, but it fell to Parker to deliver the baby.

But when he lifted the baby he realised the umbilical cord was wrapped around the newborn’s neck.

He untangled the cord and made sure the baby was breathing. An ambulance arrived shortly after.

Mother and baby were doing well, police said yesterday morning.

A humble Parker said he only assisted.

“It was all the mother, I just ended up being in the right place at the right time. The mother did extremely well, especially under the circumstances.”

Parker — who has two children of his own — said he wasn’t expecting to attend another birth any time soon.

“In 10 years on the job I haven’t been in a situation like this before.”

But after the drama and excitement, it was back to his usual duties when the ambulance staff took over. Recently my wife and I were in the Whangarei Aquatic Centre Cafe. My wife, who is recovering from a severe stroke, had a smoothie delivered. Her crutch, which was placed near the table, slid sideways and knocked the drink all over her, the table, chair and floor. Without hesitation the staff promptly responded, offering offered towels and tissues, helped clean up the mess and immediately replaced the smoothie without charge. We both appreciated their prompt action and generosity. Mal