Dad delivers his daughter in living room
MUM WENT INTO LABOUR JUST AFTER THEY GOT BACK FROM CHECKS AT QUEEN’S HOSPITAL
A DAD delivered his newborn lockdown daughter in the lounge of their home.
Having just returned to the family home near Tamworth after a checkup at Queen’s Hospital in Burton, Jack Dodd was told his fiancée Katie Carver would give birth to baby Poppy before an ambulance could get to them.
So the 25-year-old turned midwife, with the help of some telephone advice, as the little girl was born weighing 8lb 12oz at 5.07am last Wednesday.
Jack said: “Half of me was absolutely terrified at the idea of delivering the baby myself, but the other half felt like I had strength out of nowhere that made me capable of doing such a job.
“I had researched the pregnancy and labour and I was worried about Katie being hurt.
“I’ve seen lots of films and programmes with births and they’re screaming and sweating, but Katie was an absolute diamond and delivered such a beautiful girl in just under 30 minutes.
“Tensions were high and Katie started pushing. After 25 to 30 minutes, Poppy was born.
“I can’t say it’s sunk in yet, it feels like I’m babysitting and waiting for the parents to collect their baby. I think a few more sleepless nights and reality will hit!”
Jack swung into action shortly after the couple, from Bolehall, returned from having checks at Queen’s Hospital when Katie’s waters broke.
He called a midwife, who told him she was in labour and to dial 999. But, when Jack called the emergency number just before 4.10am, he was told it would be a home birth as Poppy was well on her way.
“I followed exactly what they said,” he recalled. “I was following instructions and trying to help deliver along with calming Katie down.
“The paramedics were absolutely outstanding and made the situation as calm as it could be.
“I was relaxed by their banter and tips. I could pass their information to Katie while she was using my hand as a stress ball.
“Emily, Poppy’s sister, became the towel collector. She grabbed all the towels and tea towels we had – thankfully I didn’t like them anyway and we could do with new ones!
“We were whisked off in a convoy of ambulances to get Katie to hospital once Poppy was here so she could deliver the placenta.
“With Emily she had complications delivering the placenta so they wanted to get her straight to hospital in case of any issues.
“It was exciting to have the sirens and lights on, it was a little surreal. We arrived at Burton hospital and I was able to hold my beautiful daughter the whole time.
“We were there for a good few hours and managed to get back home around 6pm.
“We were bought a scrumptious dinner from a family member via Uber Eats and were home no longer than five minutes before a neighbour brought a bottle of champagne round for us.
“My sister jokes we are taking the lockdown too seriously.
“She tried to remind us that, while we can’t leave the house for some things, when it comes to birth there are exceptions.
“This lockdown has been challenging but the hope of a better future has kept us going.
“It is a shame our families have to look through the window to see their new niece, granddaughter and even great-granddaughter, but it won’t be forever and we are all looking forward to hugs and cuddles.”
Jack is a director of online vape stores Vaperchaseruk and VCUK
Wholesale. Katie is 27 and works for the Co-op, while Emily is aged seven.
Jack said: “She is doing great, healthy and beautiful. She’s been sleeping and feeding great. Mummy has been doing really well too.”
Katie said: “Thank you to Jack for being my absolute rock throughout this whole pregnancy to helping deliver our daughter and for taking care of me since it all happened.
“I could not have done it without him. Emily is our little superstar and is such a big help and amazing big sister already. I love them all so much.”