There were tears and hugs when St John emergency call handler Anna Evans met the newborn baby she helped deliver over a 111 call in a stranger’s bathroom.
Evans, who works at Christchurch’s communications centre, flew to Auckland on Wednesday to meet seven-day-old Luka Ariki Peter Milich, his mother Lia, and grandmother Kristene Milich. The reunion came one week after Evans guided them through the dramatic birth.
“He’s so beautiful,” Evans said as she cuddled the baby boy for the first time at the Milich family home in Mount Wellington.
Luka’s unexpected arrival unfolded just before midday on Wednesday 30 April. Lia initially believed she was experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions.
“I didn’t think too much of it as my first son Kylo had been a long labour and my contractions were really inconsistent,” Lia said.
The 31-year-old went about her morning routine but realised she was in labour when her waters broke. Her partner Tuki Hanlon had packed the car, but they never made it out the door.
“All I wanted to do was jump in the shower, so that’s what I did,” Lia said. “Then I yelled out to Mum who was in the lounge.”
At 11.02am, Kristene called 111 and was connected to Evans. With four years of experience, Evans remained calm and talked Kristene and Tuki through the fast-moving situation.
“Kristene explained Lia’s waters had broken. Two minutes into the call, she said she could see the baby’s head,” Evans said.
With three adults cramped in the bathroom, Evans guided them through the birth. At 11.06am, Luka was born, just four minutes after the emergency call began.
“They did so well. My eyes started to tear up when I heard him cry,” Evans said.
After the ambulance arrived and the call ended, Evans burst into tears.
“This is the most rewarding job ever, and it’s moments like this one where I think to myself this is exactly why I do it.”
Both Lia and Kristene praised Evans for her calm voice and reassurance.
“It was really nice to know someone like Anna was there to guide us,” Lia said.
“I didn’t think for one moment I’d be helping deliver my grandson when I woke up that morning,” Kristene said. “Listening to the call, I’m surprised to hear how calm I was.”
Evans is a proud member of the Stork Club, an internal honour at
St John recognising call handlers who assist in a birth over the phone. Members receive a stork pin as a memento.
She also gifted Luka a greenstone toki, which she had blessed before the reunion.
“There are calls that stay in your head forever, and Luka will definitely be one of them,” she said.
Evans plans to keep in contact with the family and said she is expecting her first grandchild in the coming weeks.
“You never know. My grandchild and Luka might meet one day.”
