JASMINE Kruger gave everyone quite the surprise when she decided to be born in the Beaudesert Hospital car park.
Parents Jane and Vincent describe Jasmine’s entry to the world as fast but not chaotic – a team effort between themselves and hospital staff who came straight outside to help them.
It all happened on the morning of February 11 and the Krugers cannot speak highly enough of their midwife Hayley Stein and everyone who rallied around them.
Hayley supported them through their pregnancy under the hospital’s midwifery group practice (MGP) and they had been in regular contact with her leading up to the birth.
Quick birth
Jane and Vincent said it all happened faster than expected particularly compared with the birth of their first child, Timothy, who they had (inside) Beaudesert Hospital three years ago.
“We’re nice and close to the hospital and these things can take hours but Jasmine was very fast – I think the hospital put it down officially as 4 minutes of active labour,” Jane said.
“I thought we might be told I still had hours to go, and they’d send me home, but we got out of the car and walked a couple of steps, and I went, ‘I can’t actually walk’.
“We called our midwife, Hayley and another lovely midwife, I think her name was Andrea, was just leaving her shift and came to make sure we were ok.”
Teamwork
The Krugers are grateful for hospital staff, from Hayley, who was only a quick call away, to Andrea who gave Jane a jumper to lean on and a picnic blanket from her car boot for modesty.
It’s all a bit of a blur, particularly for Jane, but they also praise the person who closed the car park for the birth, the obstetrician and the Director of Nursing and Midwifery who helped.
“They were so lovely and professional, and they didn’t make me feel bad,” said Jane.
“Despite it all, it was quite a calm experience. I think the staff really helped by acting like it was normal even though it was a bit unusual. It’s still a birth to them, isn’t it?”
When asked to share any tips for those who find themselves in a similar position, Jane kept it simple.
“I think just try to stay calm and listen to your body because it knows what to do” she said.
