In an incredible turn of events, a baby boy was unexpectedly born in a Costco disabled toilet as his mother shopped for her planned baby shower. Gill Bay, a primary school teacher, and her husband Keith, a mental health support worker, were preparing to host a celebration for the upcoming arrival of their first child when little Nathanael Mark decided to make an early appearance.
Weighing just 1.5kg (3lb 4oz), the premature baby arrived safely and his mom describes him as “small but healthy … and absolutely beautiful.” Gill Bay expressed her overwhelming emotions and gratitude for the pregnancy, especially after years of fertility issues. She shared, “We’ve been praying and hoping for this moment, and now we are parents.”
The unexpected birth occurred shortly after the couple left the West Auckland Costco. Bay suddenly felt the urge to use the bathroom, which she had been experiencing discomfort from overnight. Initially believing it to be constipation, she returned to Costco and entered the women’s restroom. However, the pain grew stronger and a concerned worker offered assistance when she heard Bay crying.
In the midst of her desperation, Bay realized she was giving birth upon feeling the baby’s head. Her husband joined her in the disabled toilet and witnessed the moment their baby boy was born. With the help of Costco staff members and instructions from a 111 operator, the baby was successfully delivered into his father’s arms.
To their surprise, Nathanael’s birth was even more extraordinary as he was born en caul, a rare occurrence where the baby and placenta are encased in an unbroken amniotic sac. Despite initial worries due to the silence, the baby let out a cry after a staff member opened the sac.
The heartwarming story quickly spread, with shoppers in the store clapping and congratulating the family as they were wheeled out by ambulance officers. Gill Bay expressed her gratitude toward the kind and compassionate strangers who assisted them during the birth.
Costco, although unable to comment, has reportedly been in contact with Bay’s sister-in-law. The new mom also read comments on the Costco NZ Westgate Community Facebook page, where well-wishers came up with unique nickname ideas for the baby. While they named him Nathanael, meaning “gift from God,” she joked that he might be known as the “Costco Baby.”
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