Sunbury family thanks emergency services who helped deliver baby
August 18, 2023in Community News
A young Sunbury family has thanked the Triple Zero (000) call-taker and paramedics who helped deliver their baby boy.
Shallan Biddle gave birth to Christopher at her home last month.
Dad Brendan Beliga tried to remain calm but couldn’t believe how quickly it all happened. .
“I had one hand on the head of the baby and one hand in my pocket to call Triple Zero (000) because I didn’t know what to do,” he said.
AV paramedics Reva Jeboo and Bethany Smith holding baby Christopher.
Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) call-taker Amelia Kenny talked Mr Beliga through the process.
When the four responding paramedics arrived on scene, both mum and baby were doing well.
“When we walked in, dad and new big brother Zach was there. Dad had done an amazing job to follow ESTA’s instructions over the phone,” Ambulance Victoria (AV) Senior Team Manager Chris Collard said.
“We assessed mum and bub and made sure everyone was OK. There’s always a risk of complications with a birth so we are thinking 10 steps ahead about what might happen. Thankfully there weren’t any issues in this case.”
(L-R) Brendan Beliga, holding son Zach, AV paramedics Chris Collard and Jamie Joseph, ESTA call-taker Amelia Kenny holding baby Christopher, AV paramedics Bethany Smith and Reva Jeboo, Shallan Biddle.
Ms Biddle said she was comforted when the paramedics arrived.
“I remember them coming in to check the baby and me. It was a breath of relief,” she said.
“I heard my baby make a noise and that was the best sound.”
Paramedic Jamie Joseph said the parents did a remarkable job.
“Normally when paramedics attend a birth, it’s not a planned home birth, so everybody is stressed, but they were incredibly calm,” he said.
“These are my favourite jobs to go to – watching life being brought into the world is so cool.”
Mr Collard echoed that it is a highlight of the job.
“As paramedics, we’re often invited into people’s homes in the most intimate moments so we’re very privileged to be involved and help,” he said.