Baby born in a car
OLIVEDALE– Women is forced to give birth to her baby in the back seat of a car with the help of her husband.
In the early hours of 27 January, Tshepiso Mbambisa gave birth to her first child in a car on the side of the road with the help of her husband.
Mbambisa from Cosmo Creek, said she felt discomfort in her abdomen which she thought was the baby just being restless. After a self examination, she decided to get ready to go to the hospital.
“My husband tried his best to rush us to the Netcare Olivedale Hospital but it was early in the morning during peak traffic. No one would let us through even when we tried to tell them it was an emergency. So my husband decided to take a different route to get us to the hospital,” said Mbambisa.
While she was in the car Mbambisa said she had a strong feeling that the baby wanted to come out. After she felt the baby’s head peaking, her husband then pulled over to help her give birth.
“I’m actually a qualified nurse so I explained to my husband what to do. He then told me that he could see the head and a hand peaking out. I pushed once and the baby came out but my daughter was not breathing. I instructed him to tilt her upside down, then she started crying,” continued Mbambisa.
When they finally arrived at the hospital her husband went to reception to get help. She said that nurses rushed to the car fully prepared with gloves, an incubator and a delivery pack.
“My family finds it amusing that I delivered the baby in a car. Everyone is happy that she is healthy and everything went well,” said Mbambisa.
Netcare Olivedale Hospital general manager Bets Welman said, “We are happy we could play a part in the experience of a new life coming into this world. I advise pregnant women who experience pain or have their water break, to get to the hospital as soon as possible,” said Welman.
The baby was named Julile which means the love of God is unlimited, in Xhosa.
