Grandparents are often the lucky ones seeing their grandchildren minutes after they’re born.
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Not many can boast that they were the ones delivering their own grandchild.
But that’s what happened to Mrs Chrissy Hill.
Heading to Smythesdale to babysit her grandson when her daughter Tahlia went into labour on Thursday morning, she was surprised to see her car still in the driveway.
However, halfway down the road, it had been clear this baby was not waiting for any hospital.
The family room floor would have to do.
You never expect your mum to actually be the one to deliver your baby.
- Tahlia Hill
With Tahlia’s partner pacing up and down the hallway, throwing towels Mrs Hill’s way between talking to the paramedics, the message to Chrissy was clear.
“She’s not gonna make it [before paramedics arrive]. You’re gonna have to deliver this baby.”
It was lucky they even made it inside, according to father of the newborn, Benjamin Widgery.
“It took about five minutes to get Tahlia back inside [after turning the car around],” said Mr Widgery.
For a minute there “it looked like we were going to be giving birth out front”.
It was certainly an unexpected turn of events.
“I just kept asking, are you sure?” said Mrs Hill, but with Tahlia’s water broken and baby already crowning there was no time to waste.
“I remember the dispatch caller telling me ‘[the baby’s] going to be slippery; don’t drop him’…no pressure, for someone who’s never done it before.”
Fortunately, little baby Ashyr stayed safely in Chrissy’s arms.
“It was such a surreal moment…It wasn’t until afterwards that I sat back and went ‘oh my god’.”
Tahlia agrees.
She didn’t have a strict birthing plan, as “they always go out the window,” an experience she had when her labour with her eldest son lasted 64 hours.
However, she didn’t see this one coming.
“You never expect your mum to actually be the one to deliver your baby.”
She commends the ESTA triple zero operator for guiding her partner and mother through the process, as well as the paramedics who arrived shortly after.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better pair,” said Ms Widgery.
Mr Widgery mirrors the sentiment, but is happy to leave it up to the professionals in the future.
“Once you were in the zone you were fine, but getting there… I don’t know that I want to do it again,” said Mr Widgery.
For now though, he’s riding the high.
“It’s a good feeling; it’s pretty rare to have such a big role.”
The paramedics arrived shortly after the birth, taking new baby Ashyr and his parents to the hospital to check everyone was healthy.
The parents are now home happily resting with their new 7.2 pound bub and three-year-old Kaiden, with gran always ready to drop by.