Hannah Walters and baby Murphy reunited with paramedics Darren and Kaz who helped to bring her safely into the world.
For most families, a quiet morning at home is just that, quiet.
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But for Hannah Walters of Yarrawonga, October 29 last year began like any other, and ended with her daughter Murphy making her debut in the most unexpected of places, the family hallway.
Hannah awoke at 4:30 am, feeling the first stirrings of labour.
Having endured two long labours before, each stretching over 30 hours, she expected a slow, familiar journey.
“I thought we were in for the long haul again,” Hannah said.
Her husband, Eze, left for work, leaving Hannah at home with their two sons, Finn, 5, and Vance, 3.
As the morning unfolded, Hannah’s contractions grew stronger.
She remained calm, sending Vance off with his aunt and arranging for Finn to leave with a friend for his prep transition day.
One small, tender moment stayed with her as Finn, standing on a chair, sang softly to her as she gripped the edge of the table through a contraction.
“It was actually a really beautiful moment,” Hannah said.
But shortly after Finn left, everything changed.
At midday, while sitting on the toilet, her waters broke, something that had never happened naturally in her previous births.
“From that moment, it was just one big contraction,” Hannah said.
Her mother called an ambulance while Eze rushed home.
By the time he arrived, still wearing his carpentry goggles, Murphy’s head was already beginning to appear.
By coincidence, paramedic Karen, known as Kaz, was nearby and arrived almost immediately.
“She was just around the corner getting lunch,” Hannah said.
“She literally walked in and gloved up as she came through the door.”
At 12:28 pm, baby Murphy was born safely in the hallway.
Hannah Murphy and baby Murphy who was born in the hallway at home.
Amid the flurry of towels, the faint smell of antiseptic, and the rush of adrenaline, Hannah remained remarkably calm.
“I wasn’t scared at all. It actually felt really normal,” she said.
Kaz caught Murphy as she arrived while Hannah’s mother supported her tiny, delicate head.
Eze gathered towels.
Then paramedic, Darren arrived to check the mother and baby and ensure all was safe.
“Their calm matched mine, which made everything feel peaceful.”
For nearly 45 minutes, the family lingered in the hallway, laughing softly and feeling the tiny warmth of Murphy resting quietly in her mother’s arms.
Eventually, Hannah and Murphy were taken to Wangaratta Hospital and returned home the next day.
“She’s such a peaceful baby, and I can’t help but think every part of her journey to get here was peaceful too,” Hannah said.
For Kaz, it was an unforgettable first delivery.
In all her years as a paramedic, Murphy was the first baby she’d helped bring into the world.
Recently, the Walters family reunited with Kaz and Darren at the Yarrawonga Ambulance branch, sharing laughter and memories.
Murphy’s dramatic, yet calm, entrance into the world has left the Walters family with a story they will treasure forever, and now, looking to the future, Hannah and Eze hope to grow their family even further.
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