Firefighters saved the day after an Ocean View woman went into unexpected labour.
At about 6.50am on Wednesday last week, Sulin Verooi began experiencing active labour, a week earlier than anticipated.
Her partner, Monray Daniels, asked their neighbour, Vasco Vigis, for help.
“Traffic at that time of the morning coming from the Ocean View side is notoriously bad. I knew it would be stressful getting them to the hospital, especially since the mom-to-be was having contractions in the back seat,” Mr Vigis said.
They barely made it to the bakery on Kommetjie Road when they realised they wouldn’t reach the hospital in time, and Mr Davids said it was then they had started to panic.
“Thankfully Mr Vigis called Ocean View CPF chairman Mansoer Ismail to explain the situation. Remembering that medics are available around the clock with a trauma room ready, it was decided to head to the fire station on Kommetjie Road,” he said.
Platoon commander Warren Dawson said their crew was alerted to the situation just after 7am by a car hooting at the gates.
“The firefighter in our watchroom opened up and immediately assisted the lady to our trauma room. He alerted the rest of the crew who all sprung into action,” he said.
“Ideally, we wanted to get them to the hospital where they could have this experience in a controlled environment. But that wasn’t possible. We called for an ambulance and our rescue medics from Lakeside.
“Thanks to Metro Ambulance and CMR, who stepped forward to offer assistance, but the baby had other plans. During our assessment, we realised the contractions were too close together, and the baby was going to be born at the fire station.”
Jason Bond, a firefighter, found himself in a new role when he was chosen to assist.
“The experience was amazing. At first, I was a little nervous as it was my first time delivering a baby, but I have a good crew and the nerves went out the window and excitement started to kick in,” Mr Bond said.
“It was heartwarming to be able to hold a newborn baby and hear its first little cry as well as to see the look on the parents’ faces when they saw their newborn baby.”
Baby Monroe Daniels was born at 7.31am and weighed 1.3kg.
Mom and baby were assessed by the ambulance medics before being transported to False Bay Hospital.
“We are so grateful for the help we received at the fire station and for the wonderful job they did bringing our son into this world. Everything turned out well,” said Mr Daniels.
Commander Dawson said it was a nice way to end off a 24-hour shift.
“It brought a smile to our whole crew. We wish mom and dad all the best,” he said.
