Australia’s biggest family, the Bonnells, just got bigger – but they were terrified they’d lose her.
Despite the dramatic arrival of their 16th child, Katelyn Vera, this irrepressible Queensland couple say there’s still room at the inn.
After 15 relatively hiccup-free natural births, Jeni and husband Ray, 46, had no idea when they drove to the hospital that the life of their baby would hang in the balance.
“Every time I look at her I’m overcome with an enormous sense of gratitude,” Jeni, 45, tells Woman’s Day exclusively. “It’s unthinkable to imagine we almost lost her at birth.”
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“I’ve had lots of practise so I thought everything was going as it should – until the medical staff went into emergency mode.
“The doctors and nurses were shouting she had to come out straight away – there wasn’t time for an epidural. I was terrified I was going to lose her.”
Faced with a life or death situation, Jeni has only praise for the medical staff at Toowoomba’s St Vincent’s Hospital who, during a routine check, noticed a deceleration in heart rate – the baby’s umbilical cord was out ahead of her.
“It’s known as umbilical cord prolapse – they act immediately because of the risk of lack of oxygen to the baby,” explains Jeni.
Related: Australia’s biggest baby: ‘He is my 22kg medical miracle
“They put me under a general anaesthetic and rushed me in for an emergency caesarean.”
Jeni is convinced Katelyn’s safe arrival was watched over by angels.
Would Jeni and Ray do it again, considering the traumatic birth and longer-than-usual recovery?
“Absolutely! Our doctor says this won’t affect the chance for us to have more. I’ve got permanent baby brain anyway!” Jeni smiles.
Read the full exclusive story in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale August 11, 2014.
Cradling her precious baby daughter in her arms, Queensland mum of 16 Jeni Bonell has labelled the family’s most recent recruit “our little ray of sunshine”.
After 15 relatively hiccup-free natural births, Jeni and husband Ray, 46, had no idea when they drove to the hospital that the life of their baby would hang in the balance.
“I’ve had lots of practise so I thought everything was going as it should – until the medical staff went into emergency mode. The doctors and nurses were shouting she had to come out straight away – there wasn’t time for an epidural. I was terrified I was going to lose her.”
Faced with a life or death situation, Jeni has only praise for the medical staff at Toowoomba’s St Vincent’s Hospital who, during a routine check, noticed a deceleration in heart rate – the baby’s umbilical cord was out ahead of her.
It’s hoped Katelyn has inherited the family’s good memory gene – her first challenge will be to learn the names of her siblings: Jesse, 24, Brooke, 23, Claire, 21, Natalie, 19, Karl, 17, Samuel, 16, Cameron, 14, Sabrina, 13, Timothy, 11, Brandon, 9, Eve, 8, Nate, 7, Rachel, 5, Eric, 4, and Damian, 3.
“It was surreal to witness it without Jeni conscious but when Katelyn came out, I was overcome with emotion,” says Ray. “The medical staff were so amazing and I felt such gratitude knowing when Jen did wake up, she would be so relieved to know the baby was OK.”
“The kids are already fighting over which of the seven bedrooms she’ll be in,” says Jeni. “And 5-year-old Rachel wonders if the queue for the bath will take longer!”
“The girls are just thrilled to have fluffy pink everything back in their lives – she’s the most perfect blessing.”
Weighing in at a healthy 4.05kg, the latest member of the Bonell family is taking it all in her stride and enjoying the attention.
Jeni is convinced Katelyn’s safe arrival was watched over by angels. “My grandmother Winifred was definitely looking after us,” she says. “Her middle name was Vera so she’s honoured with her name.”
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