Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 06/02) - Dorcas Evalik of Cambridge Bay wasn't expecting her baby for another month. She also wasn't expecting to give birth before reaching the hospital.

Her contractions began last Friday around 6 a.m.

But she didn't go to the Cambridge Bay health centre for three hours -- she thought the pain was just a stomachache. "I'm glad my dad was home. He asked me what was wrong with me and I told him I was having pains in my stomach. He told me I should let the nurses know."

Then her grandmother called, and said "I guess the baby wants to come early."

Soon after, she was medevaced to Yellowknife on an Adlair Air jet.

"I was trying to hold it until I got to the hospital, but I guess I just couldn't wait."

She held out as long as she could. A doctor was waiting for her on the taxiway, and she gave birth to Dylan Alexander Evalik minutes after landing.

"It was pretty fast," she said.

Evalik's boyfriend, Troy Oakoak was waiting for her at Stanton Regional Hospital.

"I was sitting downstairs and the nurse said come into the ambulance and we'll give you a little surprise," he said. "I walked into the ambulance and saw my son."

Mother and baby are now in hospital in Edmonton.