Distress may turn to joy in a call involving childbirth

The Emergency Response centre sends assistance to more than 2,240 assignments involving childbirth each year. For the ERC operator, the experience is unique, as the sounds of new life can be heard at the other end of the line.

Baby’s Day is an excellent opportunity to stop and think about the very beginning of life – and what that looks like from the point of view of ERC operators. On average, the Emergency Response Centre dispatches more than 2,240 assignments involving childbirth each year. Even though emergency calls are often all about pain and haste, assignments involving labour can be touching and full of joy.

ERC operators are faced with many types of situations in their work – pain, fear and even death. That is why moments when the first sounds of new life can be heard on the other end of the line are especially memorable. For the ERC operator, a call involving childbirth can be a unique experience where distress is replaced by joy.

The ERC operator stands by the caller throughout the call

Even though going into labour does not usually warrant a call to the emergency number, there are situations where you do need to call 112. Excessive bleeding, the need to push or the rapid progress of labour may require emergency assistance. In this event, the ERC operator will assess the condition of the person giving birth and relay the assignment to emergency medical services. If necessary, the ERC operator will also provide instructions on giving birth during the call, and may play a crucial part in new life being born.

New life is a shared joy

When a child is born during the emergency call and their first cry can be heard, everyone involved can breathe a sigh of relief. The ERC room may even applaud the newborn. All the excitement channelled into joy can also breed feedback. One emergency call resulted in the newborn’s grandfather, who had placed the emergency call, being advised on how to serve as a midwife and swaddle his newborn grandchild. He later sent a piece of feedback thanking the operator for “online midwifery training.”
Baby’s Day reminds us that sometimes emergency calls bring about hope, joy and new life. ERC operators are always there for you – including when something beautiful is about to be born into this world.