Home delivery a family effort
• New dad Jacob Simmons of Bridport with baby Aidan who arrived nine weeks early and in a hurry. Image supplied.
By Taylor Clyne
January 20, 2021
Friday January 15 started like any other day for Bridport’s Jacob Simmons and pregnant partner Zara Sarich, but what transpired in the afternoon nobody was expecting.
The pair visited Jacob’s parents Andrew and Katrina Simmons for a catch up and dinner, but just before the meal was to be served Zara’s waters broke to the surprise of all in the room.
“I said to Jacob you better come and look at this and he told me I should probably lay down,” Zara said.
The first-time parents didn’t know what to expect but with bubby not due for another nine weeks on March 19 they knew now wasn’t the ideal time for delivery.
“I had mixed emotions and just kept thinking he’s coming really early,” Zara said.
“We had no time to go to the hospital, so Dad called the ambulance, and they began talking through what we were to do on the phone to mum who was helping Zara deliver in the bathroom,” Jacob said.
“They kept saying to try and hold bubs head in for as long as possible.”
But of course, nature had other ideas and after 20 minutes Zara had the overwhelming urge to push, with a healthy baby boy born just ten minutes later.
The paramedics arrived shortly after to announce baby Aidan Ricky Leigh Simmons was exactly four pounds and 42cm long.
Jacob said everyone was really cool, calm and collected throughout the process and thanked his mum and dad for all their help.
“It was pretty amazing and surreal.”
Baby Aidan was taken to the Launceston General Hospital where he will spend some time as a precaution due to his early delivery but is otherwise is doing really well.
Congratulations to the new parents!