'Stop the car, I want to give birth'

Jay Olsen and Crystal Gaiger with daughter Olivia. Picture / Otago Daily Times

Expectant mum Crystal Gaiger was halfway through the Cromwell Gorge when she started yelling for the car to stop - she was about to give birth.

A minute later her daughter Olivia was born in the front passenger seat of the car with her partner Jay Olsen, who had been driving, acting as midwife.

"She came really, really quick. She basically fell out," Ms Gaiger said.

The couple were on their way to Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital in Alexandra on Sunday afternoon when the drama unfolded.

The second-time mother had been having contractions for about two days and had already been at the hospital earlier that morning, but returned to Cromwell after it seemed the baby would not arrive.

However, Olivia had other ideas and Ms Gaiger started to go into labour at 1.30pm.

She called her midwife and jumped in the car, but made it only halfway through the gorge when she started yelling at Mr Olsen to pull the car over. She gave birth at 1.50pm.

Midwife Sonya Kemp, who met the couple there about 2pm, said it was unusual to give birth so fast, but there had been indications this one would happen quickly.

"It normally takes a bit longer than that ... I could hear the baby crying when she rang, so I knew she was all right.

"When it happens that fast, everything is usually straightforward. It just requires someone there to catch the baby."

It was not the first time one of her clients had not been able to get to the hospital on time. "I had two born in the driveway ... I see I'm going to get a reputation for this. But most people make it."

Ms Gaiger said she had some initial complications when she arrived at the maternity hospital. The Lion Foundation Rescue Helicopter was called, but by the time it landed at 4pm everything had been sorted.

Yesterday, mother and baby were taking a well-earned rest at the maternity hospital, and Ms Gaiger's 4-year-old son Bradley had a chance to spend time with his new sister.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES