East Auckland mother Lia Milich embraces Anna Evans, the St John's call handler who delivered her baby over the phone.
East Auckland mother Lia Milich embraces Anna Evans, the St John's call handler who delivered her baby over the phone.
An Auckland mother made a tearful reunion with a Hato Hone St John emergency call handler who helped deliver her baby boy, in a bathroom, over the phone.
Hato Hone St John staff member Anna Evans flew to Auckland from Christchurch this week to meet the baby boy shehelped bring into the world – Luka Ariki Peter Milich.
Evans was able to cuddle the 7-day-old boy at an emotional, laughter-filled visit with the East Auckland family.
Luka Ariki Peter Milich was born four minutes into a phone call with St John's staff.
On April 29, mum Lia Milich began experiencing mild contractions in the morning but did not think they were full labour pains.
“I didn’t think too much of it as my first son Kylo had been a long labour and my contractions were really inconsistent and not really painful,” she said.
In the bathroom later that morning, the 31-year-old suddenly realised she was in labour.
Her partner Tuki Hanlon had loaded her bags into the car, but before they could get out the door, her waters broke.
“All I wanted to do was jump in the shower, so that’s what I did,” Milich said.
A nearby ambulance crew arrived at the home and transported the new mum and baby to Auckland City Hospital for further checks. The pair were discharged that afternoon.
Evans visited the Milich family in their Mt Wellington home this week to listen to the 111 call.
“I didn’t think for one moment I’d be helping to deliver my grandson when I woke up that morning,” Kristene said.
“Listening to the call, I’m really surprised to hear how calm I was.”
Evans has been made a member of the Stork Club, a recognition awarded to St John call handlers who deliver a baby over the phone.
Her team leader gave her a small pin of a stork to wear.
