Father delivers twins on N11

An example of a hands-on father would be Pieter Kruger, who delivered his twins on the N11.

Both babies were in the breech position and were born feet first, and as any parent would try their best to allow no harm to come to their children, so Pieter endeavoured to bring his two babies into the world without harming them.

He did a good job too, as both babies are doing well at La Verna Hospital and Pieter beams with pride when he speaks of his beloved Reetha and adorable Johan.

Even their dogs were loaded into the vehicle to meet the two new members of the family.

“My wife’s previous labour with Helani lasted about 24 hours, so we were confident we were going to make it to the hospital in Bethlehem in time,” explained Pieter.

“Lizel, seated in the front passenger seat, complained of a few minor contractions between Vryheid and Dundee, and had her first major contraction when we were approaching the Dundee / Glencoe turn-off. As we turned onto the N11 towards Ladysmith, her contractions were two minutes apart. We were 18km from Ladysmith when Lizel asked me to stop the car, as the first baby was already coming out.”

Pieter continued, “I am very proud of Helani, who stayed calm and completely in control throughout. She got on the phone with ER24 and explained what was happening. I helped Reetha out at 9.15pm, swaddled her in a fleece blanket and placed her on Lizel’s chest. I then continued driving, hoping I would at least make it to La Verna Hospital in Ladysmith before the second baby was born.”

“Johan’s birth was a bit more difficult. He had become stuck in the birth canal and needed a bit more help. After Johan was born (at 9.25pm), I turned up the heater in the car to full heat to keep the babies as warm as possible and drove as fast as I could to La Verna. The first person I encountered in the parking lot was the security guard, who signalled which way I should go.

“Then I found a nurse who asked if the umbilical cord had been cut. I hadn’t cut it, so the nurse quickly cut it in the bakkie before helping my wife and the babies into the hospital. At that stage, my biggest concern was whether the babies were going to make it after being born under those circumstances. It is a relief that they are normal, healthy babies and I can’t wait to bring them home and play with them.”

The Kruger family wishes to thank the staff at La Verna Hospital for their friendly and efficient service, and hope to take the twins home by Sunday.

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