Some quick thinking and compassion from hospital staff and a community member in Alliston led to the birth of a healthy baby boy in the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Parking Lot.
Jessica and Rodrigo Silva were at home preparing for the welcome of their second child July 16 (he was set to arrive at 11 a.m. the following day) when little baby Elias decided he couldn't wait any longer and needed to meet his parents early.
After gathering their things, hurrying out the door, and driving to the hospital at 3 p.m., Jessica said "My body just took over and by the time we got out of the car and started walking towards the hospital, I knew I had to push. The weight of everything was unbelievable. I physically couldn’t take another step.”
Luckily, Caroline Greason had just started her shift in the screening trailer only 24 minutes earlier. When she heard a scream coming from the parking lot, she investigated and found Jessica in full labour being helped by her husband. Caroline yelled for a wheelchair and gloves, realizing the baby was coming soon.
By 3:29 p.m. baby Elias was born.
Seeing what was happening and wanting to help in any way she could, Pryanka Balley ran to her car and grabbed a sweater so the baby could be safely wrapped, protected, and kept warm.
"I had no idea who she was," says Jessica. "It’s like she appeared out of the sky like an angel. Knowing that my baby was safe and kept warm thanks to her selfless actions took some of the stress away in a very intense situation," she adds. "We are so thankful for all that Caroline and Pryanka did to ensure Elias was safe."
An ocean of blue then swept over the parking lot with nurses and physicians rushing out to help. Dr. Matthew Myatt, Chief of Emergency, was one of those physicians and was another welcome sight for the couple.
"We were blown away to see Dr. Myatt come out and help us," says Rodrigo, Jessica’s husband. "We had seen him previously and have a connection with him being past patients of his, so it was comforting to see him and have him give us the reassurance that our baby was ok," he adds.
Jessica, Rodrigo, Caroline, and Pryanka were later reunited along with their happy, healthy, and adorable baby, Elias.
“I can’t imagine what would have happened if we didn’t make it to the hospital, or if Caroline and Pryanka weren’t there, along with the support of the staff," Jessica said. "We appreciate them all more than they will ever know.”
