Wednesday August 12, 2026
Baby Evelyn born in the ED Waiting Room, only one minute after Mum arrives at Box Hill Hospital.
No matter how long you spend planning the perfect birth, when the day comes, not everything goes to plan. That is the reality for parents Emily and Sebastian Xanditis for the birth of baby Evelyn.
With eldest daughter Bonnie, 18 months, at home, Emily found the perfect distraction during labour while waiting for her contractions to intensify. Feeling calm and confident, she settled into the experience with ease.
“I began labour at home, spending time with my daughter, wanting to wait for the perfect time to go into hospital”
“Bonnie’s labour was 27 hours, so I didn’t want to go to the hospital too early.”
The perfect time came quicker than anyone thought. The Warranwood couple were travelling to the hospital when things ramped up, in dramatic fashion.
“We nearly had the baby around the corner on Thames Street.”
“I walked into the Emergency Department at 9.04pm and Evelyn at 9.05pm,” Emily said.
Surrounded by staff and onlookers, Emily recalled the moment the Baby Evelyn arrived.
“I was grabbing onto someone’s legs for support, and I just remember seeing a midwife beaming at me, saying ‘can you hear her crying? This is amazing’”
When asked about her overall experience Emily said. “It’s labour, it’s never comfortable or fun, but this was hilarious.”
“Throughout it all I felt safe and supported and the staff around me were amazing.”
Baby Evelyn was one of seven babies born at Eastern Health Box Hill overnight. Just another amazing example of the work our midwives, nurses and obstetric doctors are doing every day.
