What is now a very happy and healthy family of four had some anxious moments last Thursday as home delivery turned out to be much more than a large pizza.

The precious arrival was a nine-pound, three ounce baby girl named Caitlin and her dad Neil Stanley took charge and played the role of midwife.

Amanda Stanley was 10 days overdue at the time the unmistakable signs made themselves apparent on November 27. Being overdue meant having packed bags by the door and being ready to head for Vic General at a moment’s notice.

But the signals Amanda had were the kind indicating the moment is here... not half an hour from now.

So the family home on Sooke River Road served as delivery room for a birthing process that took about 20 minutes.

“I didn’t really have any contractions,” said mom, “just cramping. We were actually asleep. I woke up and it was starting to hurt more and more. Neil helped me up... and that was it.”

Some may have thought a warm-up with daughter Darcy from about four years ago would have helped set the stage, but not so.

“Darcy was a hormonal induction with (a medication called) Servadil,” said Amanda. “It was very traumatic as well, but it was a lot longer, about six hours from beginning to end.”

The couple had hoped for something a little more “normal” this time around.

“It’s supposed to be a gradual build-up,” said Amanda. “You’re supposed to get small contractions then they’re supposed to get bigger with a certain amount of time between them before you actually decide to leave the house. We didn’t have any of that.”

This was a situation in which Neil’s sideline as a volunteer with Sooke Fire Rescue stood him in good stead. Being an active member with many medical-related callouts under his belt helped him to stay cool under pressure... and not faint or anything.

“I wouldn’t say... traumatic,” said Neil of the experience, “but scary and exciting all at once.”

The baby was born at 12:42 a.m., right before Neil followed recommended procedure and called 911. When the call was made it was Amanda who relayed the address and details while Neil put his training to work in seeing Caitlin was breathing okay, etc. It was a group of Neil’s colleagues who showed up answering the call.

The young family has called Sooke home for three years, before that they lived in Victoria. They’re a very contented group now the latest milestone is behind them, and obviously overjoyed that Caitlin appears to be the very picture of health.

When asked if any more babies were in the big picture, the couple answered with a tired sounding laugh and a “...don’t think so.”