THREE paramedics including Netcare 911 media liaison officer, Chris Botha rushed to the assistance of an expectant mother, after an ambulance transporting her to hospital stopped at a crash scene on the N2 southbound near Dickens Road on Tuesday evening, 2 September.
“The mother was lying on a bed. I literally had time to put one glove on when I saw the baby’s head. “I put my hand under the head, the mother pushed and the baby came out,” said Chris. Both the mother and her newborn daughter were in good health.
The ambulance had stopped for assistance as the paramedic on board was an inexperienced basic life support medic. After the birth, the baby and mom were taken to hospital.
In his 40-year career as a fireman and paramedic, Chris has delivered some 2,000 babies. While a fireman at Toti fire station, a baby clinic based there at one time assisted expectant mothers. He recalled on one occasion, when he along with three others helped four women give birth at the same time.
“I have helped with a few complicated births such as babies in breach. In one case the head was tilted back and we treated cases of placenta previa.” Among all the deliveries, Chris has also had a few roadside deliveries.
He described his feelings of assisting a woman giving birth as ‘absolutely awesome’. “It’s the best part of my job, bringing a life into the world, instead of fighting to keep a life in the world.”
