In an extraordinary workplace incident, a mother of one arrived for her shift at a FedEx facility in Iowa and departed with a second child after an unexpected delivery. Amethyst Blumberg gave birth to a baby boy just before 9am while completing her duties at the Grimes distribution centre, as reported by local broadcaster KCCI.
A Complete Surprise Pregnancy
The new mother of two revealed to the outlet that while she experienced all typical pregnancy signs with her first child, she remained entirely unaware of her second pregnancy. She had named her newborn son Onyx King Easterlie. Blumberg explained she didn't recognise she was going into labour when she felt a sudden need to use the restroom during her shift.
'After that, I couldn't even get off the toilet,' Blumberg told KCCI reporters. As the situation rapidly developed, she fortunately managed to call for assistance after opening a door. 'I get up, and I feel his head,' the mother added, describing the startling moment.
Emergency Response and Delivery
A medic from the Johnston-Grimes Fire District confirmed they arrived at the facility at 8.39am to assist with the delivery. The baby was born just minutes later at 8.43am. Radio communications captured during the incident included the statement, 'We are delivering the baby now,' according to the outlet's reporting.
Onyx weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces, and measured 19 inches long at birth. Both mother and baby were transported to hospital where medical staff confirmed they were healthy and could rest comfortably following the dramatic events.
Unusual Pregnancy Experience
Blumberg, who had previously given birth, reported experiencing virtually no symptoms throughout this pregnancy. Remarkably, she stated she was actually 'losing weight at work' while carrying her baby boy. Only towards the very end did she notice any indications of pregnancy.
'The only thing I felt was when my back started hurting from back labor,' Blumberg explained. 'And when he was descending, I felt him move.' She described her newborn Onyx as 'perfect' and her 'FedEx baby,' acknowledging the unusual circumstances of his arrival.
Paramedics' Professional Response
Despite the unexpected nature of the delivery, emergency responders maintained their composure throughout the procedure. Nick Pearson with the Johnston-Grimes Fire District commented, 'I've seen a lot of things in my field, so I don't get too surprised anymore.'
He added, 'I'm just very happy that she was healthy and the baby was healthy,' reflecting the positive outcome of what could have been a dangerous situation.
Similar Cases of Unrecognised Pregnancy
This incident follows a similar case reported in September, when a Virginia woman mistook labour pains for kidney stones. Rebecca Johnson, a special education teacher, initially attributed her discomfort to 'an old mattress' or sciatica, a condition causing pain along the sciatic nerve.
By the time she reached her school that September morning, she experienced debilitating pain reminiscent of her previous labours with her two daughters, aged nine and one. These cases highlight how pregnancy symptoms can sometimes be misinterpreted or completely absent, leading to surprising deliveries.
The Iowa incident serves as a remarkable reminder of pregnancy's unpredictable nature and the importance of emergency services in unexpected medical situations. Both mother and baby continue to recover well following their unconventional introduction to the world.
