Local ambulance crew deliver baby at petrol station
A local ambulance crew from Edenderry were under the pump on Wednesday as they were tasked with helping deliver a baby at a petrol station.
The Offaly crew responded to the scene at the Applegreen Service Station in Caragh, Co Kildare where an expectant mother, Naomi Galvin, had unexpectedly gone into labour, when she and partner John Feane were on their way to the Coombe hospital in Dubln.
Baby Ellie was delivered at around 6pm on Wednesday, February 3.
"We went from the he he, ho ho, classic kind of noises that a pegnant lady makes to the full on screaming - I need pain relief now kind of situation," John told Brian Dobson on RTE Radio 1.
John said he stopped at the Applegreen because he believed that an ambulance would see his car without any problems. He made the emergency call and while he and Naomi were waiting for he was getting advice over the phone.
National Ambulance Service Ireland Chief Ambulance Officer for North Leinster, Richard Quinlan, congratulated the parents on the birth after sharing a photograph of the new arrival on Twitter. He was the first on the scene.
"By the time Richard got to us it pretty much went time," said Ellie's dad.
Richard said he was on the M7 when he got the call.
"I responded immediately with emergency lights and sirens heading to the scene," he said.
A second paramedic officer arrived soon afterwards to assist in the delivery. Richard told RTÉ Ellie was born within 15 minutes of the arrival of himself and his colleague Jeanette. He said they had all the equipment needed but the baby had to be delivered on the front seat of John and Naomi's car.
Once an ambulance did arrive from Edenderry the baby was moved to the warmer vehicle to assess the newborn. After all the checks were carried out she was transferred to the Coombe Hospital.
John has only been in the hospital for half an hour due to Covid.
"It was upsetting but we have to keep our frontline safe," he said.
The Offaly based ambulance crew then transferred mother and baby to the Coombe Hospital where they are doing well.
Richard shared a photograph from the parents of baby Ellie on twitter.