Unplanned Birth at Petrol Station: Woman Gives Birth to Baby Girl on the Way to Hospital
In a surprising turn of events, Jessica Bergholtz, 34, gave birth to her second child at a petrol station in Listerby, Sweden. Jessica, who works with the Sweden Rock festival, had been experiencing contractions on a warm June night in 2020, three days after her expected delivery date. As the contractions intensified, she began using a mobile app to track them.
The app quickly alerted her to take an ambulance to the hospital. However, when she called the delivery service, she was advised to take a painkiller and get some rest. Jessica’s partner, Kristoffer, woke up and realized that it was time for them to head to the hospital. With Kristoffer’s mother babysitting their 2-year-old daughter, Juli, they set off for the maternity hospital in Karlskrona.
However, just a few miles into their journey, Jessica felt the baby’s head coming out. They called the delivery service and were directed to call emergency services. Jessica hesitated, feeling unsure if the situation was urgent enough for emergency services. Eventually, she made the call, and her husband drove as fast as possible. At a gas station in Listerby, Jessica asked her husband to stop the car. With the assistance of her husband, they delivered their baby girl at the petrol station.
Despite the unexpected circumstances, the delivery went smoothly, and the baby girl was placed on Jessica’s chest. Shortly after, they discovered that they had welcomed a daughter. Reflecting on the experience, Jessica described the first meeting with her baby as amazing, a moment of relief during a chaotic labor.
While the birth may have been unplanned, midwife Sara Dellner reassured that quick births like this typically go well. However, she advised that it is crucial to call for an ambulance in such situations. Looking back on the experience, Jessica is grateful that this was her second birth, as it allowed her to remain calmer than if it had been her first.
Jessica did express some disappointment that the delivery service did not take her urgency seriously when she called earlier. Love Elthammar, operations manager of the women’s clinic in Region Blekinge, emphasized that patient safety is a top priority. During telephone assessments, they make judgments based on the patient’s description of the situation, and patients are always welcome to come in for an assessment if they have concerns.
Despite the unexpected circumstances, Jessica and her family are grateful for the safe arrival of their baby girl. The birth video, captured by Jessica’s husband, serves as a remarkable reminder of their unique experience. As they navigate parenthood with their new addition, they cherish the incredible journey they went through together as a family.