Aimee Turnbull says having her baby at her workplace was her “joke birth plan”.
But that running joke with colleagues at Lake Cathie Medical Centre, on the NSW Mid North Coast, became reality when she went into early labour while assisting a patient.
“I just stood there and kept smiling when my waters broke,” she said.
While everyone around started panicking, Aimee said she remained calm as she knew her baby would be in good hands.
The whole situation was “pretty unbelievable”, she said, but made the day “an interesting one” for staff and patients.
“If I couldn’t have my real family there it was nice to have my second family who all handled it beautifully,” she said.
“I’m very lucky to work with the people I work with because I wouldn't be in the situation I am in now if I didn’t have them around me.”
Rory John wasn’t due to arrive until November 19, so his after his September 28 appearance was unexpected. He was in a hurry and arrived in snappy fashion – in just 57 minutes.
An ambulance took Rory to Port Macquarie Base Hospital as soon as he was delivered. Aimee followed in a separate ambulance.
Arnold, Rory’s father followed his son’s ambulance to the hospital and had just enough time to ask his wife what they should name the baby before he drove off.
“Rory John was the first one that came to me and it was one of the names we had both liked,” Aimee said.
Aimee and Rory were transferred to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital so Rory could receive treatment for his underdeveloped lungs.
Aimee credited the staff in Newcastle as being like her best friends.
“It was so heartening to know that while you’re not there he is getting the best care possible,” she said.
The only stage Aimee had got to with her birth plan was she didn’t want a crowd but that’s exactly what she ended up with.
“I had a massive crowd because I had staff, paramedics and a whole waiting room full of people,” she said.
“Looking back on it I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Aimee and Arnold brought Rory home to Port Macquarie on November 7.
The little man is sleeping and eating well, his mum says.
Aimee and Arnold thanked all the staff at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, John Hunter Hospital and the Lake Cathie Medical Centre team, Toll Air Ambulance Service, NETS retrieval team, friends and family for their ongoing support and care.
