'Doctor' Schmidt to the rescue
Mar 07, 2008 - 08:12 AM
By Jeff Hayward
UXBRIDGE -- He arrived behind schedule. And very quickly.
Carter Schmidt is the newest addition to Uxbridge's Schmidt family, born just before 4 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4. But the little bundle of joy wasn't delivered in hospital as per the norm -- his father, Derek, suddenly found himself playing doctor.
The couple was rushing to Markham-Stouffville Hospital that morning in the family van, as Uxbridge's Cottage Hospital does not offer a maternity ward. On the way there, it became apparent Carter wasn't going to wait to be born, said Ms. Schmidt. "As we were driving, my water broke... (my husband) dialed 911," she said. "The baby started to come, the operator stayed on the line with us. (My husband) laid me back in the seat and could feel the head."
She said Mr. Schmidt unravelled the umbilical cord himself, which was wrapped dangerously around the baby's neck. Then he swept the baby's mouth to open his air passage. "It was probably instinct," said Mr. Schmidt of his actions. "One of us had to stay calm. I had adrenaline pumping, when it wore off I was shaking." Adds Ms. Schmidt, "There was so much going on, I wasn't thinking much at all. It all happened so quickly." She noted Carter was actually born late, originally expected on Feb. 28. "The baby waits four extra days and then has to come out in an hour," she said with a laugh.
The hasty birth took place at Ninth Line and Millard Street in Stouffville. Mr. Schmidt said he activated the vehicle's hazard lights to make it easier for EMS to find them, adding two ambulances arrived moments after the baby was delivered and provided blankets for the child. "One of the (EMS personnel) asked if I needed him," he joked. The mother and baby were taken to hospital for after-birth care, and both are doing fine, he added.
When the Schmidts took their van to Dean Watson Auto Sales on Toronto Street for a cleaning following the ordeal on Tuesday, the family was surprised by a special favour from the dealer, which cleaned the vehicle for free. "It was kind of a unique situation, it's the first time we've ever seen anything like that," said Andrew Dunec, service manager for Dean Watson.
Carter was welcomed into his family by his two older brothers, Joel, 2, and Gavin, 6.
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