Nadeem Ismail, Aaliyah Subramodey and Claude Subramodey with the baby they helped deliver.
Image: Supplied
How many people were needed to deliver and care for a baby girl after she was born two weeks premature on Tuesday?
The answer is six: her grandmother Beverly Singh; Nadeem Ismail, a member of eThekwini Secure; and father and daughter, Claude and Aaliyah Subramodey, as well as fellow paramedics Nicole Martin and Lawrence Shange from Amawele Emergency Services.
On Tuesday around 10am Singh, of Arena Park in Chatsworth, said she had to rush home after her 22-year-old daughter, Latangela Chetty, called to report experiencing stomach pain.
“She thought she had an upset stomach. When I got home, Latangela was already crowning. I contacted emergency services but was told no ambulance was available at the time. I knew I had to deliver my grandchild. I was scared, then relieved when she arrived five minutes later. My daughter was apologetic about giving birth at home, but I did not care," said Singh.
But mom and child needed immediate medical care.
Ismail was driving in the area when Singh flagged him down, mistaking his vehicle for the private security company she had called for help.
He said that when he entered the home, Chetty appeared to be in shock with a newborn beside her.
"I was initially also in shock but reality kicked in and I realised I had to help and keep the baby and the mother calm. I always help people during accidents, and luckily I had a medical kit in my vehicle.
"The umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. I managed to unwrap it and the baby began crying, which was a good sign. Everything happened so quickly."
When Subramodey, the owner of Amawele Emergency Services, with Aaliyah Subramodey, Nicole Martin and Lawrence Shange, arrived, Chetty was unconscious.
“The mother had lost a lot of blood during natural childbirth, and the placenta remained inside her. The baby was next to her with the umbilical cord attached. We removed the placenta and cut the umbilical cord. We put the mother on drips to give her energy and stabilise her. We were happy to see that the baby was in perfect condition before transporting them to RK Khan Hospital.”
He said the baby weighed 2.4kg.
Subramodey said the delivery marked a milestone for his team.
“This is the tenth baby that we have delivered in seven years. It is an amazing feeling to deliver babies and help mothers in these situations. I remember the first baby I helped deliver. He is now seven years old. He rolled right into my hand during delivery."
Chetty said she initially believed she had an upset stomach.
"Luckily, I called my mum and told her I was not feeling right. She arrived home just in time and called the neighbour. I told them I did not think I would make it to the hospital. I barely started pushing when the baby was already out,” said Chetty, who was also born premature.
She said she was grateful for the support she received.
“It was awkward having many strangers in the room, but I'm glad they could help. I am especially grateful to Nadeem, who is fasting during the holy month of Ramadaan. His intervention felt like a blessing to me."
Chetty said her daughter, who has not yet been named, slept beautifully and had big eyes, similar to her own.
Both mother and baby were discharged from the hospital on Friday.