Yarrawonga mum Alannah Ellery gives birth inside ambulance

Newborn baby Willow’s entry into the world is one her parents will never forget, with first time mum Alannah Ellery giving birth at the back of an ambulance with the help of two incredible paramedics.

Alannah Ellery, Lucy Montague, Amy Hopkins and Mark Ratcliffe with baby Willow. Supplied

First-time mum Alannah Ellery won’t forget her daughter’s birth anytime soon – and nor will the two paramedics who helped bring her into this world.

Born in the back of an ambulance parked on the side of a country road, baby Willow decided she simply could not wait any longer on December 29 last year.

It may not have been exactly what Ms Ellery – who was eight days overdue – meant when she had wished to go into labour, but when her newborn baby was placed on her chest just after 9.30pm that night, the Yarrawonga mum was simply grateful for the “calm and relaxed” paramedics by her side.

Lucy Montague and Amy Hopkins with baby Willow. Picture: Supplied

When her contractions – which had stopped for three hours – had suddenly gone “from zero to 100”, she thought she would have her baby on the bathroom floor.

“I remember thinking my partner and parents were going to have to deliver,” she said.

But Willow held on just long enough for paramedics Amy Hopkins and Lucy Montague – the “loveliest ambulance people ever” – to walk through the bathroom door.

They managed to get Ms Ellery into an ambulance and begin – but not quite finish – the journey to Wangaratta Hospital, before safely delivering their youngest ever patient.

With her mum in the ambulance with her – and her partner Mark Ratcliffe and dad close behind – her whole family climbed into the ambulance to hear Willow’s first cries ring out across a Yarrawonga street.

“I never thought she would be delivered in the back of an ambulance,” Ms Ellery said.

“It was definitely an experience and one that we definitely won’t forget.

“It just happened so quickly, I don’t think it even registered.

“I can’t even remember what I was thinking.

“Definitely relief … just knowing she was good and fine. You know you’re in capable hands.

Alannah Ellery, Lucy Montague, Amy Hopkins and Mark Ratcliffe with baby Willow. Picture: Supplied

She said her suprisingly “calm” partner even got to cut the umbilical cord.

Willow spent the rest of the 40 minute ride quietly snuggled on her mum’s chest as they drove to the hospital, something Ms Ellery said she hasn’t grown out of yet.

“The driving soothes her – we always joke that it’s because she was born in the back of the

ambulance,” she said.

She and Willow, just a few weeks old and doing well, were reunited with the paramedics last month, in a moment the new mum said was lovely.

“They were over the moon,” she said.

Ms Hopkins, who enjoyed cuddles with Willow, said she didn’t want to let her go.

“It’s pretty rare that we ever find out what happens to our patients as paramedics.

“It was really nice to just have a chat and catch up.”

She can still remember the relief that flooded through her when she heard Willows’ cry and said it was lovely to pull up at a hospital with two healthy patients.

“ It was a real privilege,” she said.

“Everyone was really excited.”

Lucy Montague, who had never delivered a baby before, said it was a very special moment.

“It was definitely one of the most emotional scenes I’ve been a part of,” she said.

Baby deliveries are quite rare for paramedics, some go decades without attending a birth.

It’s why Ms Hopkins’ presence that day was even more special – she had delivered another baby just three weeks prior and knew exactly what to do.

“Now all my colleagues joke that they want to be paired up with me,” she said.

“It’s just really nice and a privilege.”