Just eight days after opening to the public, staff at the City’s new Pelican Park Community Day Centre had to contend with an unexpected visit from the Stork.
Just before 8am on Thursday 3 October, Pelican Park resident Marchelene Carolus arrived at the clinic.
The heaving mom-to-be was en route to the Retreat Maternity and Obstetrics Unit where she was booked for her baby’s delivery, but sensing that she wouldn’t make it, the 20-year-old Marchelene redirected to the Pelican Park Clinic instead.
Staff members immediately sprang into action, helping the labouring mom-to-be get comfortable and then helped deliver her bundle of joy just half an hour later at 8.27am.
SUCCESS: Marchelene Carolus with baby Mikhail
The baby boy, who has since been named Mikhail was judged to be in good health, tipping the scale at 3kg, before he and his mom were transported to their original destination in Retreat by ambulance.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, says: “This is just an incredible story, and I for one am so happy that the clinic staff were able to help deliver baby Mikhail safely.
“Births aren’t a common occurrence at our facilities, and this one was made all the more special by the fact that the clinic had only been in operation for eight days when this happened, so the timing was impeccable.
“We wish mom Marchelene and baby Mikhail all the very best, and I’m sure they’ll become regulars at our clinic for his future health checks.”