‘We just pulled in off the M3 when Aoife arrived’

Couple's relief and joy as baby girl arrives safe and sound at the roadside

A MEATH couple and their son are celebrating a new addition to their family, despite her swift and dramatic arrival!

Little Aoife Margaret Anne Byrne made her sudden arrival on the side of the road outside Navan in the early hours of 6th August.

“We just pulled in when we came off the roundabout off the M3 when she arrived,” says her delighted Mum, Laura Mullen.

Despite the traumatic start, Aoife's birth is very precious to Laura and her partner, Richard as they had endured three heart-breaking miscarriages before her safe arrival.

“She came so fast, I hadn't time to panic. Richard had just run round to the passenger side of the car when she popped out.”

Laura and Richard, who live in Newcastle between Moynalty and Baileboro, also have a son, Ryan (4).

Laura explains she had her last ante natal appointment in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda on Wednesday 5th August.

She felt she had gone into labour later that day and that evening made her way to hospital, where she was told she wasn't in labour and was sent home.

“We went home and just as I got in the door, I felt a pop and knew my waters were broken. I could feel the contractions coming in waves and knew I was in labour.

“I was timing the contractions and said we'd have to go so we got into the car and started off for Drogheda. I could see the time was 12.37am.

“Before we decided to leave I rang the hospital to tell them I was having contractions. The midwife asked where I was feeling the contractions and she said that contractions would take my breath away and that it was the baby’s head moving down. I advised her that I could talk through contractions and she wouldn't listen to me and after that we decided to leave for the hospital because I knew myself they were contractions.

“We went to Mullagh and onto the M3 and I realised she was coming really fast.

“We phoned the hospital and I said I was going to have the baby in the car.

“We were heading for the toll bridge and asked the hospital to send an ambulance but they said they didn't have one.

“We came off the motorway at Navan North and Richard immediately pulled over, jumped out, came round to my side and put the recliner back.

“I was pulling off my pyjama bottoms and her head was coming out and on one more push Richie caught and delivered her.

“We had rang the hospital at 12.57 and she was born just before 1.06am.”

Laura says they dialled 999 for an ambulance at 1.06 a.m. and had to wait 20 to 30 minutes for it to arrive from Trim.

“The guy on the line told Richard what to do including tying off the umbilical cord. I remembered something I had seen on Facebook and we used a shoelace from my runners.”

Mother and baby were brought to hospital, where Aoife weighed in at a healthy 6lbs 11oz. They stayed until Friday morning when Richard and Ryan collected them and brought them home.

While they were in hospital they were allowed just one visitor and for just 45 minutes because of Covid-19 restrictions.

It has been a happy ending after a very difficult time for Laura and Richard.

Ryan was born very quickly after Laura's arrival at hospital and in the years after his birth Laura had three miscarriages.

“I decided to take a year out from worrying about pregnancy. I was going to be a bridesmaid and I didn't want to go through another miscarriage.

“I was relaxed and doing a lot of walking and really I was unknowingly practicing mindfulness and was coming to terms with the fact that Ryan might be an only child.”

When she discovered she was pregnant she was nervous, but Drogheda Hospital looked after her very well throughout her pregnancy.

“They were great, they knew I was anxious and were so happy for me when I reached the various milestones.

“I just wish midwifes would listen to women more and not to so easily dismiss us when we feel we are in labour, because even though mine went well it could have gone wrong on us and I wouldn't like that to happen to someone else.”

The family of four is now settling down to their new life and looking forward to the future.

“It is unbelievable, but we have had a really happy ending,” she says.