POSTMAN Jim Dobson took charge of a special delivery on Friday despite being on strike from work.
The 39-year-old helped deliver his partner's sister's baby, when she gave birth in the front room of his house, in Summerdown Walk, Trowbridge.
Leila Rawlings, 31, of Frome Road, who already has a three-year-old son Charlie had gone to hospital with her sister Kerri after her waters broke but was sent home again because her contractions were still about 15 minutes apart.
They left at about 6.15am but by 7.15am baby Samuel had arrived in the front room weighing a healthy 7lb 3oz.
"I was planning to go round to her house anyway because my partner doesn't do blood," said Leila.
"I'd been warned as it was my second baby it could be quicker but suddenly there was no space between the contractions. I locked myself in the toilet. I was scared. I didn't want it to happen but once it had started there wasn't a lot I could do about it."
advertisement
Her sisters Kerri and Emma tried to manhandle her to the car but only got as far as the sitting room floor because little Samuel had decided it was time to arrive.
Mr Dobson, who is Kerri's partner, said: "I was in bed and could hear screaming and shouting. Leila was lying on the floor and Kerri was on the phone to the ambulance.
"It was quite surreal. The thing that concerned me when I looked down at her was the baby seemed to be stuck. Then when he was born he had the cord around his neck. I quickly got hold of him and untangled him and dried him with a towel.
"I felt quite emotional afterwards. I was there for my own boy's birth and that was fantastic but this was certainly different."
Kerri, 28, said it had all happened quite quickly after she and her sister arrived home. After helping Leila onto the floor she rang for an ambulance but realised the baby would probably be born before they arrived.
"The man on the phone was going so fast I said slow down, I've never delivered a baby before'. I was worried what would happen if he came out not breathing or something," she said.
"My 10-year-old Nathan was standing there but he was great and got my partner and offered to get hot water and towels."
Youngest sister Emma, 24, was also at the house and said the experience had put her off having children.
She said: "Leila asked me to be her birthing partner and I agreed but I didn't expect this. I don't think I'll be having any."
Leila said her partner Jamie Cooke, 36, did not believe her when she told him the news.
"He was at home looking after Charlie and I told him I'd just had the baby in the front room."
The couple said they were grateful to everyone who helped with the dramatic birth.
