Quick thinking and a mother’s intuition came to the fore when a Somerset West woman helped bring new life into the world on a busy CBD street, stepping in without hesitation as an expectant mother suddenly went into labour.
Geneva Erasmus (28) recalls going about her work routine on Tuesday morning 29 September. She was on a smoke break when she noticed a woman getting out of a taxi just before 08:00. A man at the scene recognised Geneva and called her over, asking if she could fetch a chair. “I was like, what’s going on? He said she’s pregnant and in labour. I’m like, if she’s in labour there’s no way she can sit.”
Instinct kicks
Geneva did not hesitate. “The mother in me came out. I just asked her how she’s feeling. As soon as I asked, she started pulling her pants down and then I knew – it was happening. The baby was already crowning.”
Noticing a purple colour, Geneva helped the woman lie down. With help from bystanders, she helped deliver the baby within minutes, while ensuring the mother’s dignity remained intact.
“In about three minutes the baby was born. There was no crying initially, so I gently rubbed the baby’s chest until the newborn let out a cry.”
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‘Just brilliant’
Drawing on her own birthing experiences with her two young children, Geneva found a blanket, wrapped the newborn and placed the infant on the mother’s chest. She also helped deliver the placenta.
A bystander who witnessed the event recalls: “She was just brilliant – the ultimate display of bravery and courage.”
The bystander helped hold a blanket to ensure the mother’s dignity while Geneva took charge of the delivery. It was a healthy baby, and Geneva counted all 10 fingers and toes. “The baby came out quietly and then Geneva just touched the baby a little bit, and then everybody was just clapping hands.”
Safe hands
Emergency services were alerted, and a private ambulance arrived about 10 minutes later to transport the new mother and baby to hospital. The bystander phoned the baby’s father. “He was shocked. He put the phone down immediately to rush to his family.”
Geneva continued to manage the situation after the birth, doing everything except cutting the umbilical cord. She wrapped the placenta to hand over to the paramedics. “She just kept her calm,” the bystander says. “But it was like – wow.”
On a cold, wet Tuesday morning, 13 July 2021, 23-year-old Felicia Engelbrecht of Macassar went into labour while travelling by taxi to the community health centre. Realising she would not reach the facility in time, she gave birth to a baby girl on a pavement in Steve Biko Street, Macassar Village. The emergency could have ended in tragedy, but mother and baby survived in good health thanks to the swift response of community members under the guidance of Victoria January, a 49-year-old local nurse who rushed to the scene with gloves, a mask and a warm blanket, assessed the newborn, placed a hot-water bottle beneath her to restore warmth, and calmed the anxious mother with breathing exercises until paramedics arrived nearly an hour later. Four Macassar police members were also praised for their quick assistance. Engelbrecht, now a proud mother of three, was treated at the scene and transported to Helderberg Hospital, where she and her baby girl, weighing just over two kilograms, were discharged the same day.
Cold comfort
Geneva was grateful to have been able to assist, but felt disheartened by the response she received from health professionals and staff at the hospital. “I was told to approach the hospital for medical advice, as I delivered the baby without wearing protective gear. On arrival, I received backlash and criticism over my instinctive reaction to assist during the emergency.”
Despite the difficult experience at the hospital, Geneva sought medical attention at a local clinic. She called for clear guidelines for the public to follow when faced with an emergency.
Abulele Dyasi, a spokesperson for the provincial Department of Health and Wellness, said the department is grateful to the person who showed care and supported the expectant mother.
“We encourage members of the public who find themselves in an emergency to contact our emergency services on 10177 for our trained healthcare professionals to manage the emergency safely,” she said.
Dyasi confirmed that no complaint has been received, but said all feedback is taken seriously.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette attempted to contact the new mother through the hospital, but Dyasi said no consent could be obtained.
- Community members can lodge complaints or compliments by contacting the department’s contact centre on 0860 142 142, sending an email on service@westerncape.gov.za, or making an appointment with the facility manager.
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