Labouring for more than 20 hours was a daunting experience for first-time mum Bridget de Vos, but what came next was even more unexpected.

Soon after giving birth to baby Colter, Bridget’s oxygen levels suddenly dropped, prompting an urgent transfer to the new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Redland Hospital.

Her husband Joel said the couple were incredibly grateful that the ICU had opened just in time for their son’s arrival.

“As a dad, you have to kind of watch and wait and put your trust in all the doctors in that way,” Joel said. “Knowing the ICU was right here meant she could receive care without being transferred and thankfully, she recovered quickly.”

Bridget spent more than 24 hours in the unit receiving high-flow oxygen and antibiotics before being well enough to return to the Karragarra Ward with her baby.

“The nurses and doctors were amazing,” Bridget said.

The couple said it would have been much more difficult if the ICU wasn’t open.

“We would have had to travel to the Princess Alexandra Hospital,” they said.

This way Bridget and baby Colter were back together, sooner. The couple extended their thanks to the Redland Hospital team.