Mum keeps high profile

Shadae Horo, whose son Kyzaar in 2011 was the Elizabeth R Maternity Unit in Stratford's 1000th baby, is in the news again, this time for not giving birth in the maternity unit, but on the side of the road in Kaponga.

Baby Kyahrn was born last Tuesday at 6.26pm on the side of Rowan Road - two weeks early.

Shadae's waters broke in the morning, but as there were no further signs of the baby coming, midwife Sylvie Robert says they thought they might have to induce labour the next day.

That afternoon, however, Shadae began contractions. Not one to panic easily, she phoned Sylvie and they set off for Stratford, with Shadae's mum Teena and sister Nastassia in tow.

"I always have a nursing kit in my car, but honestly thought that we would make it," says Sylvie.

Around midway from Opunake where Shadae, 21, lives, they had to pull over, and baby Kyahrn was born after what his mum describes as "a very easy birth". On getting to the maternity ward he weighed in at a healthy 3.510kg.

Dad Allen Christie went straight to Stratford when he heard Shadae was in labour, but doubled back when he learnt she was not there. He missed the birth, but was glad to see that all was well with mum and baby.

Nastassia cut Kyahrn's cord - a special moment for Shadae as she had been at the birth of Nastassia's first baby.

It is the first birth Sylvie attended on the side of the road and she says though everything went smoothly she does not want a repeat.