Perth family delivers baby in emergency lane on mitchell freeway 20230110 p5ynyr.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Perth dad cuts across freeway traffic, delivers baby in front seat of Prado

Savannah Meacham

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A Perth father has turned impromptu midwife in the emergency lane of a busy highway, helping deliver his baby on the front seat of their 4WD.

Courtney Graham said his wife Wendy went into labour early Monday morning and just several hours later her waters broke.

"I said we need to go. So I hustled her into the car and got her bags into the car," Mr Graham said.

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Perth family deliver baby in emergency lane of Mitchell Freeway

Wendy took two big pushes in the front seat of the car to deliver baby Macy. 9News

As they rushed to King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mrs Graham's contractions became quicker and soon their second child just couldn't wait to enter the world. 

"She goes 'I think the baby is coming'. An almighty scream and I looked down, she could feel the head and I could see the head," he said.

"I've reefed it across four lanes of traffic on the freeway, cut off a few motorists, went through some roadworks and knocked over some traffic cones.

"I ran over the passenger side and by then she is two-thirds of the way out."

In the emergency lane of the Mitchell Freeway, Mr Graham "helped catch" his little girl and put her on Mrs Graham's chest.

"I couldn't believe it, I thought I was in a dream, there is no way this is happening on the freeway. But yeah, it was two big pushes and she was here near Hutton Street," Mrs Graham said.

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Perth family deliver baby in emergency lane of Mitchell Freeway

The family is over the moon to have delivered the little girl in the emergency lane of the Mitchell Freeway 9News

The parents safely delivered "perfect" 3.47kg Macy in the front seat of their Prado.

"We wonder what she's going to be like, whether she's going to be a wild child," Mrs Graham said.

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"We had planned a water birth, so we had planned a natural birth, but it doesn't get much more natural than that - giving birth on the side of the freeway."

Mr Graham joked that the birthing classes don't give parents any lessons on what to do if the baby arrives on the side of the freeway.

"There's no manual for that. One of those don't think, just do moments," he said.

The pair said they had been terrified something would go wrong, but by the time Mrs Graham gave birth her husband was on the phone with paramedics.

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"It was a relief. The first few minutes were definitely the scariest," she said.

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Perth family deliver baby in emergency lane of Mitchell Freeway

The family is now enjoying their baby bubble at home. 9News

After a short hospital stay Mrs Graham and Macy were given the all-clear and the family headed straight to their local for a celebratory drink. 

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"We did treat ourselves to a beer," Mr Graham said.

"It was the best beer I've ever had," Mrs Graham added.

The Grahams are now looking forward to enjoying their baby bubble at home.

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