Janelle Thomas and Heath Hamilton are still in shock after the birth of their daughter Jaylyn Rae at the intersection of William and Durham Street, Bathurst on Tuesday April 7.
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Janelle said her waters broke at about 7am and she only had a couple of mild contractions.
“I phoned my sister to come and collect the other children. I hung out some washing while I waited for Heath to get home from work,” she said.
“Over the couple of hours I still only had a couple of mild contractions.
Janelle said they left Oberon for the 40-minute trip to Bathurst at 11am.
“Through the round-about on Albion Street I had another couple of contractions and they were a lot stronger.
“I said to Heath we better phone the Bathurst hospital and tell them we are on our way. They said they would have a wheel chair ready and would be waiting for me.
“Well things developed from there – when we got to Kelso I could feel Jaylyn getting herself in position to be born. I had another very strong contraction and I said to Heath we are not going to make it.”
Heath said they discussed whether to call an ambulance but decided things were moving too fast to wait. Janelle said when they stopped at the lights she had two very large contractions.
“There was nothing we could do,” she said. “Heath was driving and I had to deliver the baby myself.
“I had to wrap the baby in Heath’s jacket to keep her warm.
“Heath phoned through to the hospital and informed them that the baby had been born and they would have to meet us outside.
“When we got the hospital, staff cut the cord and took Jaylyn straight to the nursery to put her under heat lamps.
“I was in shock and she was turning blue through being cold.
“I was taken to the maternity ward and reunited with Jaylyn a couple of hours later – everything was fine.”
Jaylyn weighed in at a healthy 8lb 1oz and is doing well.
“I couldn’t even tell the staff exactly what time she was born – it was like time had stopped for me.
“Not many women get to deliver their own baby – it will be a story to be told at her 18th birthday party.
As for Heath – he said he never wants to go through that again and is just happy to have a healthy baby girl.