Pregnant anchor’s water breaks before the morning news—and she powers through the whole broadcast

It started on the WRGB morning show in Albany, New York, like any other morning. But on May 21, just moments before going live, co-anchor Olivia Jaquith experienced what many moms recognize as the most unforgettable moment: her water broke.

And instead of heading straight to the hospital—she stayed.

As reported by NBC News via TODAY, Jaquith chose to anchor the entire three-hour morning show while in early labor, contractions and all.

“Literally, Olivia’s water has broke.”

The moment was announced with both joy and disbelief by her co-anchor, Julia Dunn, who shared with viewers at the top of the broadcast:

“We do have some breaking news this morning. Literally, Olivia’s water has broke, and she is anchoring the news now in active labor.”

To which Jaquith calmly responded: “Early labor. Early labor. Let’s not get carried away.”

In true journalist fashion, Jaquith smiled through the contractions, even timing them with her co-anchor on air. At one point, Dunn noted they were just two minutes apart.

Jaquith, still unfazed, reassured viewers: “No, well, there was one, but it’s been a few minutes since then, so we’re still in good shape.”

A newsroom baby watch

The WRGB team rallied around her with humor and support. The screen displayed a cheeky chyron: “Days Past Due Date: 2” and later, “Baby Watch” and “Here Comes Baby P, Good Luck Olivia.”

Still, Jaquith maintained her signature poise: “I’m happy to be here, and I’ll stay on the desk for as long as I possibly can,” she said. “But if I disappear, that’s what’s going on.”

She revealed live on Facebook that her water had broken in the studio bathroom before the show. When asked why she stayed, she simply said: “I think I can get through a three-hour show.”

“I’d rather be at work than at the hospital.”

Throughout the show, Jaquith delivered stories and even found space for humor. During a segment transition, she prompted viewers to take a “water break.” And when talking to the meteorologist, she quipped:

“If my baby does come today, Craig, how’s the weather?”

Her professionalism—and relatability—shone through every moment. Later in the show, as new viewers tuned in, Dunn offered a recap:

“Olivia’s water broke, and she’s still here. She’s been doing the entire show. This is her decision to do this.”

And Jaquith? Unbothered. “I’d rather be at work than at the hospital.”

By 7:56 a.m., as the show wrapped, Jaquith was still seated at the anchor desk. Dunn gave her a high-five and summed it up perfectly:

“Whole show. Three hours of news, in contractions. I think that’s a first for CBS6.”

Two moms, one unforgettable morning

There’s something extra special about this moment—especially when you learn that Dunn is also pregnant. In March, she shared the news of her second pregnancy on Instagram, featuring a joyful photo of both women holding their baby bumps.

“Every morning we have Chobani yogurt together on the anchor desk,” Dunn captioned.

It’s the kind of morning news moment that’s as rare as it is real—raw, brave, and a little bit wild.

A message to all moms

At a time when many working moms are forced to choose between presence and performance, Olivia Jaquith gave us a new kind of live report: one that showed resilience, humor, and heart—all while bringing new life into the world.

To every mom who’s ever shown up to work while holding it all together—this moment is for you.