They wanted to do the same as they had with their first child. A couple living in Saint-Bonnet-le-Château, in the Loire, wanted their second child to be born at home, with the assistance of the emergency services. But things did not go to plan. Here is their story.
It was 4 pm on Sunday 22 September when Marine went into labour with her second child. She felt the first contractions and asked her partner, Ludovic, to help her lie down on the sofa. As a precaution, she asks her father to come and collect Mia, their two-year-old daughter. At precisely 4.53 pm, she decides to call the emergency services. Immediately, the fire brigade dispatched three vehicles and the ambulance service sent its helicopter into the air. The weather was stormy.
The fire brigade arrived, but couldn’t get into the flat. The door was locked. Little Evi had started to make an appearance, and Ludovic was stuck inside, helping his wife give birth. After a few minutes, he finally placed their baby – weighing 3.210 kilos and measuring 48 centimetres – on his wife’s stomach. He then opened the door for the emergency services.
Just as the fire brigade were taking Evi and her mum into their care, the SAMU helicopter landed at the football stadium. A storm was brewing, and it was raining heavily. They were taken to the stadium. But once there, a new problem disrupts the operation. The helicopter won’t start.
It was only after persistent effort and several minutes that the vehicle finally managed to start up again. Marine and her daughter were able to be taken to the Nord Hospital. Today, after all these ups and downs, the whole family has returned to Saint-Bonnet-le-Château… and a peaceful life, according to our colleagues at the Progress.