Gold Coast paramedics save life of mum and new born baby, Highland Park

A Gold Coast mum and her newborn baby narrowly escaped death after a terrifying home birth emergency. FULL DETAILS

Within minutes of her water breaking, Highland Park’s Natalie Beecham was already giving birth.

But at 41 weeks pregnant, a home delivery was not the plan for the now mum-of-three, whose unexpected birthing moment turned into a horrifying near death experience for both mum and bub - had it not been for Gold Coast paramedics.

“It all happened so quickly,” Mrs Beecham said.

“My water popped in my laundry and by the time I walked to the hallway I was already having contractions. By the time I got to my bedroom I needed to bare down and have a baby – he was coming.”

QAS paramedics, Max Westerhof & Brooke Musty meet Mum and dad Natalie and Troy Beecham and baby Cruz Beecham, with Noah 10, Summer 7 and Sonny 4, at Nerang Ambulance Station. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Within 20 minutes of her water breaking Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics Max Westerhof and Brooke Musty were at the scene as Mrs Beecham’s new born was crowning – and just as things started to go horribly wrong.

“The moment we knew it was serious was after the initial birth of the head there was a delay,” Mr Westerhof said.

“Usually the shoulders clear quite quickly, so we knew this was very serious.”

Baby Cruz had shoulder dystocia – meaning his anterior shoulder was caught above his mum’s pubic bone.

“With any birth we prepare for the worst-case scenario and we were expecting that because it was such a long time to get Cruz out – we knew there were going to be complications,” Mr Westerhof said.

QAS paramedics, Max Westerhof & Brooke Musty meet Mum and dad Natalie and Troy Beecham and baby Cruz Beecham, with Noah 10, Summer 7 and Sonny 4, at Nerang Ambulance Station. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Cruz was stuck for 10 minutes – born but not breathing and with no heart rate.

Mum was also haemorrhaging in a life-threatening way.

Within a minute the paramedics managed to produce a heart rate for baby Cruz, but his breathing was still poor. Both mum and bub were raced to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious condition.

Mrs Beecham had lost 50 per cent of her blood and was rushed into theatre.

She recovered and now her and miracle baby Cruz are on healthy terms six weeks on.

On Friday, the Beecham family and the quick thinking paramedics were reunited after the life-threatening ordeal.

“The last time I saw Max’s face Cruz just started breathing and I was heading into theatre,” Mrs Beecham said.

“I was very scared... words can’t describe... I’m so grateful.”

Mrs Beecham said the reunion was “a little bit hard on the heart”.

“It’s a happy thing to see them again and introduce them to Cruz,” she said.

QAS paramedics, Max Westerhof & Brooke Musty meet the Beechams at Nerang Ambulance Station. Cruz and mum Natalie Beecham. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“The fact they acted as quickly as they did means both Cruz and I are here and able to have this meeting today. If they didn't act as quickly as they did it might be very different.

“I think their faces will remain in my memory forever.”

Mum said baby Cruz is happy and healthy six-week-old citing him as her little miracle.

“He’s amazing,” she said.

“He’s so cruisy, just like his name.”

Originally published as Gold Coast paramedics save life of mum and new born baby, Highland Park