BOPDHB Checkup June 2018 | Page 4

10 year old Taylor Bulloch (centre) with her parents, Kelly and Hayden, little sister Eden and LMC Daryl Carrington who delivered her 10 years ago. ‘Blue light baby’ marks Tauranga maternity unit birthday decade on Dubbed the “blue light” baby, 10 year old Taylor Bulloch and her family were the guests of honour as Tauranga Hospital’s Maternity and Special Care Baby units celebrated their 10th anniversary in June. A decade ago, Taylor was the first baby born in the new Maternity unit which was shifted inside the main hospital building bringing the birthing facility closer to theatres. Dad Hayden Bulloch recalls it was a momentous day and Taylor very nearly didn’t make it to hospital to have that honour bestowed upon her. “It was all happening much faster than they described in the antenatal classes. We ended up being escorted to the hospital 4 from our home in Papamoa by police in rush hour traffic.” Mum Kelly says media picked up on the story dubbing Taylor the “Blue light baby” referring to the police escort - lights flashing, siren blaring. LMC Daryl Carrington was right behind and about two hours after having intense contractions at home, Taylor was born weighing 6 pound 1 ounce. To mark the occasion baby Taylor was gifted a teddy bear and special baby towel embroidered with her ‘first baby’ status. Ten years on, Taylor had the honour of cutting the cake, taking centre stage at the birthday celebration with midwives and nurses past and present in Maternity and SCBU.