The miraculous birth of Baby Bella
Jennifer Porter
Rachael Torkington was only 25 weeks into her pregnancy when she went into early labour on July 22, 2017.
“I was barely six months pregnant. I remember thinking that it is too early. This cannot be happening – this is not good,” Rachael recalled.
One moment, Rachael and partner Kyle were relaxing at home, the next, they found themselves delivering a vulnerable baby while on the line with 111.
Guidance from Ambulance
Rachael was lying on the bathroom floor, in pain and distress, when she felt a strong urge to push. Suddenly, she gave birth to a very small baby: “She was just teeny, teeny, tiny. She was not much bigger than my hand,” Rachael said.
At the other end of the 111 line was St John Call Handler Rebecca Robinson and, with her, Intensive Care Paramedic Anthony. Together, they used all their training and calmly instructed Kyle on how to do CPR on their tiny baby, who needed urgent medical care to survive.
While Kyle was keeping his little girl alive, St John Ambulance Officers Olivia, Karen and Steve Pudney were rushing to the house as quickly as they could.
When they arrived, they knew that they had to get Bella to hospital.
But she had to be stabilised first.
Remarkable feat
Thanks to their training and innovative thinking, they achieved an incredible feat and got her to hospital to receive the care she needed.
Baby Bella was so fragile, she had to stay in hospital for 136 days. After some long and uncertain weeks, Bella was finally well enough to go home, where she is now happy, healthy and thriving.
The story of Bella Olivia, whose second name honours one of the ambulance officers who kept her alive, shows just how much of a difference St John makes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
St John Northern Region Fundraising & Marketing Manager Kristin Cross said, “Baby Bella’s special story, one of thousands out there, is why everyone here does what they do. St John is full of people who enable little miracles to happen every day.”
Every day is different
Rebecca, who took the 111 call from Kyle that night, has been a Call Handler with St John for over five years and says no two days are the same.
“It is a great feeling to know that I make a difference to someone’s life in some small way, by helping those in scary and unforeseen situations.
“There have been many moments in my time here that have been memorable – some happy, some sad and others traumatic. The opportunity to go to Christchurch and meet Bella and her parents, who I helped and gave instructions over the phone, was special. It was a very stressful and scary situation for the parents.
Rare Meeting
“It’s not often, as call handlers or dispatchers, that we get to meet the family of the people we help. Seeing Bella’s progress so far was a great experience and something I will always remember.”
Rebecca added, “The assistance that St John provides is vital for local communities and people in need of education, and medical, traumatic and social support. The staff at St John – from call handlers, dispatchers and team managers to the amazing road crews and support staff work tirelessly to help people in need all over New Zealand.”
Heart of Gold Appeal
Throughout April, St John is running its ‘Heart of Gold’ annual appeal.
The Charity hopes to raise $2.2 million, needed to pay for ambulances, and more of the specialist equipment and intensive training that helped to save Bella’s life.
Kristin said, “A single ambulance costs $225,000 and can attend to as many as 600 incidents a year. The lifesaving equipment for which funds are also needed will help our ambulance officers to treat people more effectively in the high-stress scenarios that they encounter, helping around 470,000 patients each year.”
Donations, please
Donations to the ‘Heart of Gold’ appeal can be made in any ASB branch across New Zealand, online at www.heartofgold.org.nz, or by calling 0800-785646.
St John is delighted that Indian Newslink is extending the chance for its readers to contribute towards a new ambulance via the Newspaper’s innovative crowdfunding initiative. Readers can help St John buy an ambulance for the community and save lives, simply by donating at www.stjohn.org.nz/newslink or sending a cheque to St John, Private Bag 14902, Panmure, Auckland (include your name, address and code Newslink).
Watch Baby Bella’s touching story here: https://vimeo.com/262130569/2419f0131f
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Photo Caption:
Rachael Sibley and Kyle Torkington with Bella (seated) with Karen Connolly, Olivia Burns, Mike Martin, Steve Pudney and Rebecca Robinson
(Picture Supplied)
