Tiarna Van Brakel, Adam Papworth baby Falcon born at Baxter BP
A Rye couple preparing for the birth of their fifth child thought they had everything covered for a water birth in hospital. Their son had other ideas.
South East
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Baby Falcon has a need for speed.
The Rye bub was in such a rush he arrived at a Baxter service station on Peninsula Link about 7.30pm on Saturday.
Falcon’s parents Tiarna Van Brakel, 26, and Adam Papworth, 34, were racing to Frankston Hospital when he decided to enter the world two days earlier than expected.
“It all happened so quickly. It was pretty overwhelming,” Ms Van Brakel said.
“My waters broke in the car and the contractions were really intense.”
Mr Papworth was reluctant to stop on the freeway so he “put his foot down” and reached the BP service station.
“By the time I jumped out of the car to help Tiarna the baby was crowning,” he said.
“I didn’t have time to be nervous, he was just there in my hands.”
The couple had called an ambulance from the car and paramedics arrived a few minutes after Falcon.
Ms Van Brakel, who has two other sons, suffered from post-partum haemorrhaging after her second child was born.
“We were worried that might happen again,” Mr Papworth said.
“Luckily everything was OK this time.”
Ms Van Brakel’s contractions began on Friday night and the couple started the 45km journey to the hospital about 3.30pm on Saturday.
“We rang the hospital on the way and they didn’t think my labour was advanced enough to come in. They told us to go home,” she said.
Peninsula Health operations director for women’s health Colleen White said the service was unable to comment on individual cases because of patient confidentiality and privacy.
However, she said providing high quality was of “paramount importance”.
“We are proud of the support, care and advice that we provide to women and families on the Mornington Peninsula,” she said.
Falcon’s first name was chosen long before his birth.
“I know people will think it’s related to the car, but it’s actually to honour a close friend who loved birds,” Ms Van Barkel said.
“Funnily enough after we had chosen his name we realised all our boys have car related names.
The blended family includes Bedford, 9, Carter, 8, Morrison, 7 and Hudson 6.
“We are now thinking about how we might include the initials BP in Falcon’s name, given the story of his birth,” Mr Papworth said.
