A very special delivery

Eleven-year-old Rohan Townsend helped bring his baby brother into the world.

Contributed

A Coolum Primary School student last Thursday helped his mum deliver the first of twin siblings three months premature.

His mother, Amanda Sullivan, began having contractions about 6am.

Eleven-year-old Rohan Townsend, guided only by the voice of a paramedic on the telephone, helped bring his 800 gram baby brother, Ashton, into the world.

Rohan’s baby sister Indi was delivered at Nambour General Hospital by caesarean a short time later.

She tipped the scales at 700 grams.

By that time Rohan had headed off to school.

Ashton and Indi were sent to the Royal Brisbane Hospital, where Amanda was expected to join them.

Amanda’s mother Christine, who flew up from Melbourne, said if the premature twins were anything like their big brother, their battle was already won.

“I got a phone call ... and I heard this scream in the background and Rohan on the phone saying, ‘I delivered the baby’,” Christine said.

Thirty-two-year-old Amanda went into labour while she was at home with Rohan and her other son, Christian, 8.

Christine said Ashton was born still in his protective “sack” and Rohan, directed by paramedics, had to cut the sack open in a delicate operation.

Christian watched on quietly.

“He was then told to keep the baby warm while the paramedics arrived,” Christine said.

“He’s a remarkable young boy, always caring and generous, and he idolises his mother.”

Christine said her grandson had gone off to school and was being looked after by his father.

“The teachers and everyone are keeping a bit of an eye on him and Christian, who was a little quiet,” she said.

“The pregnancy was quite uneventful except she started going into labour last week and had to go to Brisbane.

“They were able to stop it then and she was able to go home.”