Pregnant News Anchor Delivers Show While in Active Labor

In a remarkable display of professional dedication that quickly went viral, Albany news anchor Olivia Jaquith completed her entire three-hour morning broadcast while in active labor, calmly delivering the news even after her water broke in the newsroom. The extraordinary scene unfolded Wednesday morning at CBS6 Albany when Jaquith, who was two days past her due date, chose to stay on the air rather than immediately head to the hospital.

“We do have some breaking news this morning—literally,” co-anchor Julia Dunn announced at the start of their broadcast. “Olivia’s water has broke, and she is anchoring the news now in active labor,” according to Associated Press.

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A Professional’s Calculated Decision

Jaquith’s water broke at approximately 4:15 a.m. in the newsroom, just fifteen minutes before she was scheduled to go live. Rather than rushing to the hospital, she made the deliberate choice to continue with her broadcast duties. Her reasoning was both practical and personal—she preferred to stay busy at work rather than “nervously waiting around at the hospital” during early labor.

“Early labor, early labor,” Jaquith clarified on air, downplaying the drama while maintaining her characteristic composure. She reassured viewers and colleagues alike: “I’m happy to be here, and I’ll stay on the desk for as long as I possibly can. But if I disappear, that’s what’s going on.”

Team Support and Humor

The morning broadcast became an unexpectedly intimate shared experience as Jaquith’s colleagues rallied around their laboring co-worker. Co-anchor Julia Dunn captured the historic moment on Facebook Live, while the production team displayed a graphic in the corner of the screen showing “Days past due date: 2.” Studio crew members even held up messages encouraging Jaquith to go to the hospital, which she politely ignored.

Jaquith later credited her team’s support and humor with helping her manage the contractions. “Having the entire morning team alongside me cracking jokes helped me get through contractions much easier,” she texted to the Times-Union, according to ABC News. The atmosphere remained light despite the unprecedented circumstances, with colleagues joking that she even managed to eat yogurt during commercial breaks.

A First-Time Mother’s Remarkable Strength

This extraordinary display of dedication was particularly impressive considering Jaquith was expecting her first child. The 27-year-old Niskayuna native had returned to her hometown the previous spring to take a reporting position at WRGB, making this broadcast doubly significant as both a career milestone and personal moment.

Jaquith had previously demonstrated similar determination during her pregnancy, announcing her condition on air in February after completing the Disney Princess Half-Marathon in Florida with her sister. Her news director, Stone Grissom, praised her consistency: “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.”

Social Media Sensation

The unprecedented broadcast quickly captured national attention as clips circulated across social media platforms. Viewers were simultaneously amazed and concerned by Jaquith’s determination to continue working through active labor. The story resonated particularly with working mothers who recognized the complex calculations women make about balancing professional responsibilities with personal milestones.

The broadcast’s viral nature highlighted ongoing conversations about workplace flexibility and support for expectant mothers, though Jaquith’s situation was entirely her choice rather than any workplace pressure.

A Happy Ending

After completing the full three-and-a-half-hour morning show, Jaquith finally made her way to the hospital. Her dedication paid off in the best possible way—she successfully delivered a healthy baby boy named Quincy on Thursday. Co-anchor Julia Dunn provided updates throughout the day, posting on Facebook at 6:45 p.m. that “Olivia is still in labor at the hospital. Her Mom says she’s doing great and a total trooper!”

The station celebrated the arrival of their “newest (and tiniest!) member,” noting that it marked another addition to what had been a particularly busy baby season among their staff, according to CBS6 Albany.

Jaquith’s remarkable morning will likely be remembered as one of the most extraordinary examples of broadcast journalism dedication, proving that sometimes the biggest news stories happen to the people delivering them. Her professional composure and personal strength created a moment that was both inspiring and uniquely human, reminding viewers that life’s most important moments don’t always wait for convenient timing.

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