Mum gives birth on footpath
Louise Cairns’ baby boy was so keen to enter the world yesterday, he arrived in the gutter outside Dunedin Hospital.
Miss Cairns (21) gave birth to her as yet unnamed 3kg son in Frederick St at 10am yesterday, after her mad dash to the Queen Mary Maternity Unit came up just short.
Yesterday, while still recovering from her ordeal, she said she wanted to thank those who rushed to help.
She had arrived by car already crowning but the experience began hours earlier.
“My waters broke about 5am. That was fine, I went back to sleep. The contractions started about 8am, and at 10am, we jumped in the car to go to the hospital but he was born before we made it inside.”
She was thankful most passers-by were women, many of whom held up blankets to provide some privacy.
“One woman came and held my head up and told me I was going to be all right. Another woman delivered him.”
Final year medical student Stephanie Lynch (24) said she was the person to catch the baby.
“We heard some shrieking coming from outside and we saw Louise lying on the ground. I helped catch him. It wasn’t how I expected to spend my morning.”
Miss Lynch said she gained obstetric experience in Dunedin and Tanzania and was happy to help. She later visited the new family in hospital.
Miss Cairns’ partner was also there but he felt sick and his legs were wobbling at the sight, she laughed.
“They were all awesome. I didn’t care that people could see because I couldn’t stop. I don’t know what I would have done if they weren’t here.”
Staff from the maternity unit also arrived shortly after she began pushing in the gutter.
Nurses on the ward were hoping Miss Cairns would name her son Frederick after the street he was born on but she had ruled out the name as too old-fashioned.
Speedy would also not make the cut for his middle name, she joked.
Miss Cairns was particularly shocked by the fast delivery because she had been induced to give birth to her eldest son.
The new family wanted to thank “everyone” for helping with the sudden birth.
Miss Cairns intended to send chocolates to those who helped. She hoped to go home today.