Brackendowns resident saves sidewalk-born baby’s life in Ormonde
Nadine Obermeyer, a Brackendowns resident, was in her office when she was called to help by her colleagues when they saw a lady fall down outside on the side walk.
On November 4, an unsuspecting first aider, Nadine Obermeyer, saved the life of a baby born on the sidewalk in Ormonde.
Nadine Obermeyer, a Brackendowns resident, was in her office when she was called to help by her colleagues when they saw a lady fall down outside on the side walk.
“I wasn’t expecting anything as we did not know what condition the person was in,” says Nadine.
“I went down with a bottle of water to see if I can help the lady. Nadine was with a colleague who was also a first aider. When they got to the lady they realised the situation was a lot more serious than they initially thought. Not only was the lady who fell pregnant, but the baby’s head was already crowning.
“Initially I was shocked,” said Nadine. “The lady I was with, however, said, “You can do this Nadine” and the training kicked in.”
The necessary first aid supplies had to be thrown through the window as they called the ambulance. Nadine stayed with the lady and when she noticed the baby’s head was coming out further, she told her to push and the baby was born. To Nadine’s horror the baby was not breathing as the cord was wrapped around his neck. Thinking quickly she pushed her fingers between the cord and his neck and managed to remove it. Nadine immediately started performing CPR with a mouth piece and two fingers, the first time she had ever performed CPR. After the fourth attempt the baby started crying and relief settled among those there.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” said Nadine. “My parents taught me if you can help someone you should do so.”
The ambulance arrived thirty minutes later taking mother and baby to the hospital.
“I was worried that week as we did not hear anything and did not know if the mother and baby was healthy,” says Nadine. Despite trying to reach the mother she was unable to. Exactly a week later the mother, however, visited Nadine’s office at Kolok Pty Limited and brought the baby to meet her. The baby and mother were healthy and safe.
“She said she would like me to name the baby,” said Nadine. “As much as I appreciated the honour she was giving me it was her right as mother to name the baby. I asked her what they wanted to name the baby and she said Delan. “Then that’s what his name shall be,” I said.
Nadine and the mother of little Delan are still in contact. “The baby has become our office’s baby.”
Alan Thompson, director of Kolok, said that they are extremely proud of Nadine for doing what not many people would have been able to do. They are especially proud of her acting out of her own towards a lady who was not part of the staff.
