Healthy baby born despite ordeals

A KHAYELITSHA mother was grateful that her first baby was delivered in good health after she had been turned away from Tygerberg Hospital despite having reached her full term of pregnancy.

Florence Joe was into her 42nd week of pregnancy when her son was born on Wednesday.

Joe said that while she had a somewhat unpleasant experience in the time leading up to her son Matthew’s birth, she was grateful that he was in good health.

Her employer, Jenny Mitchell, said she became concerned as the baby was meant to born on April 6.

“She has been sent away from hospital three times and each time they tell her they have no bed. She had a high-risk pregnancy, why didn’t they just do a C-section?”

Mitchell said she was worried that the baby might be compromised at 10 days beyond the due date.

Joe had to use taxis back and forth numerous times.

“What a relief when she called me and told me she’d finally given birth to a healthy baby boy. She sounded happy although exhausted. I’m delighted she finally has her wish and is doing well, despite the obstacles she had to overcome at the hospital,” Mitchell said.

Joe said she never thought she would be able to have a baby at her age. “I had to go in every day and wait for the baby to come and when it didn’t come I had to go back home.”

She said when she finally went back on Wednesday she was able to give a natural birth. “I am just tired and I am very happy with my first baby,” said Joe.

Provincial Health Department spokesperson Mark van der Heer said Tygerberg confirmed the patient gave birth at the hospital after being admitted.