As they embarked on their journey to the hospital, both Courtney and Elijah soon realized that this baby was not going to wait. Contractions intensified, and the little one was ready to make her entrance into the world. “This baby is coming right now,” Courtney exclaimed as their hearts raced and adrenaline surged through their veins.

The mother of four was quick to take action. With nerves of steel, she simultaneously dialed for an ambulance while her husband continued to navigate the car along the Centenary Highway. Time was of the essence, and the baby was not willing to wait. To make matters more challenging, Courtney used yet another mobile phone to reach out to the hospital, desperately seeking guidance in this whirlwind of events.

In those fast-paced moments, she was connected with midwife Madonna Beirne, who calmly and expertly guided Courtney through the rapid and unplanned delivery. “I pushed only once, and the baby came out – I didn’t even have time to take my underwear off!” Courtney recalled, reflecting on the incredible speed of the birth.

But this extraordinary story didn’t end there. As baby Patience made her debut into the world, it became apparent that her arrival was not without its challenges. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, requiring swift and precise action.

Midwife Madonna continued to be a guiding light for the couple in the minutes following the birth. She coached them on safely unwrapping the cord and ensuring that they maintained a vigilant watch over the baby’s breathing and skin color. Keeping the newborn warm was paramount.

As they awaited the arrival of the ambulance, the trio even found time to share a few laughs and moments of camaraderie. Madonna playfully suggested naming the baby after her, but Courtney had a different name in mind. She decided to name her precious baby “Patience,” a testament to the extraordinary patience and strength displayed by this remarkable family during their unexpected journey to the hospital.

Soon after, the Queensland Ambulance Service crew arrived at the scene, taking both mother and baby in their capable hands. It was a moment of relief and triumph as they made their way to Mater’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where Patience would continue her remarkable journey.

Weighing in at 1.96 kg, this tiny miracle, Patience, is receiving the best care possible in the NICU. “She is our miracle baby,” Courtney exclaimed with heartfelt joy. “We are so lucky she survived being born so early and without any breathing assistance until we arrived at Mater.”

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, this unexpected roadside birth brought forth a story of strength, resilience, and the incredible bond that a family shares during life’s most unpredictable moments. The story of Patience’s extraordinary entry into the world will undoubtedly be cherished and recounted for generations to come.