Chef delivers own baby...using his apron strings
MEET the baby who is destined to be forever tied to the apron strings – after he was delivered by his chef father who used them to cut the umbilical cord.
Costas Mina, 44, leapt into action when partner Natalie, 30, went into labour in the bath and gave birth 10 minutes after contractions had started.
The chef dialled 999 for guidance but Harry was born so quickly Costas had to rely on instinct.
He noticed the umbilical cord was around the baby’s neck and had to wait until Natalie had another contraction to unravel it.
Paramedics told him to find something to cut the cord and tie it off so Costas pulled out his chef ’s uniform and used the string.
He said: “It did look like the ‘chestburster’ scene from the movie Alien. But I didn’t have time to mull over that. I just did what I needed to do.”
Harry is a younger brother to the pair’s 19-month-old daughter Amber, and named after England football star Harry Kane.
Despite the quick birth Costas said it was “one of the longest and most surreal moments” of his life.
The chef, from Barnet, north London, added: “It was all such a rush and Natalie was obviously screaming the house down. I was asked by the ambulance helper to check on Harry and I noticed he wasn’t crying. I realised the cord had wrapped itself around his neck twice.
“I didn’t want to just go in there and tug it off as he was so small I was worried I would damage his windpipe.
“She had another contraction and he was out to his waist and I was able to help the little guy out.
“As soon as I untangled the umbilical cord I heard him gasp and then belt out this cry. Then the guy on the phone was telling me to get some string to cut the cord. We didn’t have any in the house and I just looked around to see what was around. I flung open the wardrobe and saw my chef’s uniform.
“I grabbed the apron, wrapped the strings around.
“There was no other feeling like it. I just felt empowered. But I’ve never panicked so much.
“Natalie was something else. She did it all without any relief.”
Within an hour a midwife had arrived and mother and son were taken to hospital for a check-up.