ER24’s Prishalen Pillay, who recently qualified as an Emergency Care Practitioner, had his training put to the test on Easter Sunday, 9 April 2023, when he and his crew were dispatched to a home where a 19-year-old woman was in active labour.
Pillay described the scene, saying, “Usually in calls like this, when we arrive at the patient’s home, they usually have a bag packed and are waiting to be taken to the hospital. But this was not the case in this situation.”
Upon arriving at the Newcastle-based home, Pillay found the young woman on the floor, in the process of delivering her baby. Despite being a relatively new Emergency Care Practitioner and still adjusting to working in an uncontrolled environment, Pillay’s training kicked in instinctively. He assisted the mother in delivering a healthy baby boy weighing just over 3kg.
“Both the mother and baby are healthy, and this case was different from other cases we attend, especially as we went to go help one patient and returned with two,” said Pillay with a smile, recalling the joyous moment.
Reflecting on the experience, Pillay mentioned that this delivery was special to him for multiple reasons.
“I will never forget it because it was my first, but we also get deliveries where there are complications, and both the mother and baby are at risk. This sees paramedics having to make difficult decisions trying to save them. Also, riding to the hospital with a mother and baby who have endured a complicated birth is not ideal,” Pillay explained.
He also noted that emergency personnel often deal with negative cases, which can take a toll on their mental well-being. “The negative cases take its toll on a person, and being able to deliver a healthy baby without any hiccups ensures that our spark remains bright,” Pillay added.
As a 26-year-old Emergency Care Practitioner, Pillay is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community of Newcastle and looks forward to continuing his career in helping those in need.
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