In an unexpected on-air moment, WRGB news anchor Olivia Jaquith began labor just minutes before going live with the station's morning broadcast.
Despite her water breaking in the newsroom, Jaquith chose to stay on-air and anchor through early labor before eventually heading to the hospital, the US Sun reported.
Jaquith, who works at CBS affiliate WRGB in Albany, New York, initially experienced cramps the night before the event but did not believe them to be signs of active labor. It wasn’t until she was preparing for her morning shift that more obvious symptoms began.
Moments before the show started, Jaquith’s water broke in the newsroom. She was about to go live, having already endured at least one contraction.
Instead of heading straight to the hospital, she took her seat at the anchor desk. Co-anchor Julia Dunn opened the broadcast by alerting viewers to the unfolding situation, saying, “We do have some breaking news this morning, literally.”
Dunn explained that Jaquith was anchoring while in active labor, while Jaquith clarified that she was in the early stages. A message on the television screen humorously noted that she was already two days past her due date.
Throughout the show, Jaquith maintained her composure, even following contractions. “It’s been a few minutes since then, so we’re still in good shape,” she said during one segment.
She later added, “I’m happy to be here and I’ll stay on the desk for as long as I can,” displaying a calm demeanor and continued dedication to the broadcast.
Behind the scenes, Dunn recorded video footage capturing the unusual moment. She later shared it on Facebook with the caption, “Guys, this isn’t April Fools. Olivia’s water broke in the newsroom.”
Jaquith announced her pregnancy in February following her participation in the Disney Princess half-marathon, an event she completed with her sister. Audiences had followed her journey since that time, with her pregnancy updates occasionally referenced on air.
She and husband Tyn are expecting a baby boy. This is the couple’s first child, according to Jaquith’s public comments during previous broadcasts.
During the Facebook video recorded off-air, Jaquith admitted she had initially thought her symptoms meant she needed a bathroom break. “Stuff just kept coming out,” she noted with a mix of humor and confusion.
Jaquith even joked about staying through the full morning broadcast. “I think I could get through a three-hour show,” she said while continuing to work at her computer.
WRGB News Director Stone Grissom commended her professionalism in a statement released shortly after the broadcast. “From her on-air pregnancy announcement earlier this year to running a half-marathon while expecting, Olivia has met every stage of this journey with grace and grit. Today was no exception,” he said.
Grissom also highlighted Jaquith’s passion for journalism and her connection to the community. “We’re overjoyed to soon welcome our newest (and tiniest!) member,” he added.
Despite gentle nudges from her coworkers, Jaquith chose to remain at the news desk during the early stages. “Her decision to stay on the desk, by the way,” Dunn told viewers, indicating that it was Jaquith’s own choice to continue the broadcast.
Speaking on-air during the broadcast, Jaquith acknowledged that she was new to childbirth, saying, “I don’t know what’s going on, this is my first time.” She handled the situation with poise despite not knowing exactly what to expect.
The episode drew significant attention from local viewers and social media followers alike, many of whom praised Jaquith’s resolve and calm presence during what could have been a chaotic moment.
