Delivering twins in the Pilbara

Katherine Ramsay was living in the Pilbara town of Newman and expecting twins when she unexpectedly went into labour ten weeks early.

“Four days before I was due to fly to Perth for care at King Edward Memorial Hospital, I started feeling what I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions,” Katherine said.

“The only doctor in town was away treating a patient who had a heart attack, so the nurses on shift arranged a video call for me with a doctor at Port Hedland Regional Hospital. The doctor contacted the RFDS to take me to Perth and prescribed me something to try and stop the contractions while I waited for them.

“By the time the doctor called with the ETA, I knew I was in labour. At this stage, I was still calm as I knew help was on its way. The RFDS arrived quicker than I could have dreamt. But I was already five centimetres dilated so I was flown to Port Hedland rather than all the way to Perth.

“The RFDS nurse, Erica Wilson, was so lovely. I was unable to have any pain relief onboard due to an allergy, so she breathed through my contractions with me, held my hand and was so supportive and caring,” said Katherine. The scenario took a challenging turn when Katherine arrived at Port Hedland Hospital.

“While prepping for surgery, it became clear I had a placental abruption and things turned serious very quickly and it was very scary,” said Katherine.

After Katherine’s twin girls were born, they were flown to Perth by the RFDS.

“Being in Port Hedland without my babies and without my family was the most isolating feeling in the world. I took comfort knowing the RFDS were doing everything they could to get me to Perth on the next available plane. The next morning, a St John WA ambulance took me from the hospital to the Flying Doctor plane. The St John and RFDS staff were all buzzing with excitement as they had heard my story and couldn’t wait to get me to the twins.”