Close call as eager bub almost upstages bride

Brides can expect a lot of their bridesmaids, but one newlywed lucked out on her special day when her pregnant friend hid the fact she had gone into labour to not steal the limelight.

As maid of honour for best friend Katie Letton, Baldivis woman Karla Barry wasn’t going to let anything stop her walking down the aisle — not even the arrival of her baby.

Her partner, Adam Hitchcock, guessed their baby may come early but Ms Barry didn’t think for a second it would happen so soon.

“When we were going to the wedding, Adam packed the hospital bag and I was like ‘what are you doing, he’s not due for another week’,” she said.

“I was in early labour pretty much all day — Katie’s mum was a midwife, so she monitored me and made sure I was OK.”

The determined maid of honour breathed through pre-labour while walking down the aisle and trekking through bush for photos before true contractions began in time for speeches and the first dance.

“I just didn’t want to ruin Katie’s day, so we didn’t tell her,” Ms Barry said.

“It was my biggest concern — either walking down the aisle, having photos taken or during the first dance that my waters would break.”

The Baldivis couple were thankful to be surrounded by people in the know.

“Everyone in the bridal party had kids before and knew what she was going through, so that was really helpful,” Mr Hitchcock said.

“Every time there was a break, I was up with her making sure she was OK — it was a very nervous time not knowing when we were going to go.”

The expectant parents finally left the wedding at 10pm bound for the hospital.

“We ended up leaving and finally told Katie — I cried because I didn’t want to leave,” Ms Barry said.

“It was her big day but she was over the moon and happy for me.

“Driving to the hospital, I was trying to get my bridesmaid dress off. It was clipped and hooked and I was having contractions at the same time — it was a bit of an exciting day.

“It all felt like it was meant to be and everything just fell into place. I’m just so glad I made Katie’s day for 90 per cent of it.”

After a long day full of excitement, baby boy Xavier was born at 2am on November 27.

“Karla didn’t realise how phenomenal she was throughout the day,” Mr Hitchcock said.

“She had no idea and even now doesn’t realise but what she did on the day — superwoman.”