NSW Ambulance call takers flat out after 27 babies spring to life in September

BABY Shalon Toni-Vetemotu is one of three in the Macarthur area, and 27 in NSW, who couldn’t wait to get here and were born before their mum could get to hospital this month, which is traditionally a busy time for births.

New mum Ceciila Toni-Vetemotu gave birth to her third child Shalon at home with the help of a NSW Ambulance call taker before paramedics arrived. Pictures: Simon Bullard

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INGLEBURN baby Shalon Toni-Vetemotu is one of three in the Macarthur area, and 27 in NSW, who couldn’t wait to get here and were born before their mum could get to hospital this month, which is traditionally a busy time for births.

Her proud mum Cecilia Toni-Vetemotu was today reunited with the NSW Ambulance call taker Emma Bourke who helped her deliver Shalon two weeks premature and at home before the ambulance could arrive.

When Mrs Toni-Vetemotu went into a 2 ½ hour labour on Wednesday, September 20, she phoned her mother-in-law Lagi to take her to hospital but it was soon too late to go.

“Shalon came so quick. I had five or six contractions and my waters broke and I knew she was coming,’’ she said.

NSW Ambulance call taker Emma Bourke, new mum Cecilia Toni-Vetemotu and her third child Shalon.

“My mother-in-law (Lagi) was talking to the ambulance call taker and she was telling me to hold on but I couldn’t hold on. After two pushes, Shalon was born. It happened so fast.”

September is traditionally when most births occur in NSW.

Also on September 20, a Currans Hill baby was born after being assisted by a NSW Ambulance call taker as well as a paramedic.

Four days later on September 24, a Minto baby was also born with help from a call taker and paramedics.

Across NSW, 27 babies had sprung into the world so far this month before their mums were able to reach hospital.

Shalon was born weighing 4kg and the ambulance arrived about five minutes later to take mother and daughter to hospital for observation.

Ms Bourke, of Warilla, said Shalon was the first baby she helped deliver over the phone and she was happy to meet her and her mum at Friday’s reunion.

Mrs Toni-Vetemotu, 25, said she was grateful and thankful to Ms Bourke for the support and reassurance she gave her before the ambulance arrived.

Shalon, her third child, was due to be born on Thursday, October 5.

Campbelltown and Camden hospitals’ women’s and children’s services midwifery manager Angela Jones said historically nine months after Christmas and New Year’s Eve was the busiest month for births but July this year was the busiest month at Campbelltown Hospital.

A total of 341 babies were born at Campbelltown Hospital in July. So far in September, a total of 282 babies have been born at the hospital.

Baby Shalon Toni-Vetemotu was born two weeks premature on September 20 but she was due to be born on October 5.

Ms Jones said the large number of July births was due to factors including the region’s population boom, more young families moving to the area and some premature births.

She said Campbelltown Hospital was on track to deliver 3600 babies this year, compared to 3400 last year.

“If we continue to grow by 9 to 10 per cent, it’s predicted that in the next few years 5000 babies will be born at the hospital in a year,’’ she said.

In June, the Macarthur Chronicle reported more babies are being born at Campbelltown Hospital than at Liverpool Hospital for the first time this year.

NSW Ambulance Director Control Tim Collins said each year NSW Ambulance 000 call takers play a direct role in the safe arrival of hundreds of babies, often teaming with paramedics who are trained in the delivery of babies in the out of hospital setting.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that, in the past 10 years, the highest number of births occurred in September.

This is true for both NSW where 81,877 babies were born, and Australia where 250,978 babies were born during this period.

This is compared with 320 born 2016 in total, and 32 in September.

In a breakdown of births, 192 were assisted by NSW Ambulance call takers and 71 of those were completed by paramedics. The balance arrived before mum had a chance to reach the phone.