Pictured: Paramedic Donna Byrne, EMD Eamon Kelly, EMD Mary Ann Browell, Paramedic Chris Staffieri, Rui Lopes Morato, big sister Amali, Stacey Bronson, baby Indi, Paramedic Emily Mangione, Intensive Care Paramedic Amelia Walsh, Emergency Communication and Systems Manager Taleaha Dawson
In just two days, St John NT has assisted in the delivery of two healthy baby girls – Indi and Kinsley – whose race to get earthside has left each of their parents with unforgettable birth experiences.
At 11:30am Saturday 19 July, St John NT’s Emergency Communications Centre (ECC) received a Triple Zero call from Rui Lopes Morato for partner 31-year-old Stacey Brosnan, who was in labour in Zuccoli.
“We had planned a hospital birth, but as we were preparing to leave, we realised it was a choice between doing it on the side of the road or at home, so we called Triple Zero,” Stacey said.
A healthy baby girl, Indi, was born at home with their assistance just 12 minutes later, before being transported with Stacey to Royal Darwin Hospital for further care.
Stacey added, “I don’t have a bad thing to say about the team who helped me. Both the Emergency Medical Dispatcher and Paramedics were very helpful and adapted to my feedback”.
“The Paramedics came fully equipped, did not try to rush me at all, and told me, ‘It’s my birth journey, we are just here to support it’. They were so reassuring.”
Less than 48 hours later, the ECC received another Triple Zero call at 1:48am Monday 21 July for first time mother, 27-year-old Jade Brady-Bye, who was in labour in Durack.
Paramedics were dispatched, but baby girl was not waiting for anyone.
Eamon Kelly, an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) with St John NT, would end up talking Jade and her partner, Laythan Wilson, through delivery.
Laythan described the experience as ‘intense’: “I had Eamon on the phone in one ear, giving me instructions for what to do, and Jade in the other giving birth.”
“Eamon was amazing, he was definitely who I needed. It was so stressful, but I just had to do what he said, and he reassured me ‘we’ll get through this’.”
Kinsley, another healthy baby girl, was delivered safely at 2:01am, with Paramedics arriving one minute later to assess her and Jade before they were transported to Royal Darwin Hospital for further care.
“The team who rocked up were great at de-stressing the situation, easy to talk to and really helpful to both Jade and our baby. They were awesome,” Laythan added.
With 12 months experience as an EMD, Kinsley is the second baby Eamon has helped deliver over the phone.
In the previous three financial years, St John NT Paramedics and EMDs have assisted with the delivery of 44 babies: 26 by EMDs and 18 by Paramedics.
These numbers reflect not just the skills of the team, but the trust Territory families place in St John NT during life’s most unforgettable moments.
St John NT Director Ambulance Services, Andrew Thomas said, “It’s a privilege to help bring new life into the world; one I’ve had a few times as an on-road Paramedic. The dedication of our team ensures families feel safe and supported, which is vital in these unplanned circumstances.”
St John NT Emergency Communication and Systems Manager, Taleaha Dawson, added: “In the urgent, unforgettable moments, our team is ready. Calm, capable, and committed to caring for Territorians”.
Whether on the phone or at your door, St John NT’s emergency responders are ready to support Territorians through life’s most critical moments – and they cherish the joyful ones.
