Cullingworth man helps partner to give birth (From Keighley News)
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Cullingworth man helps partner to give birth
9:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Keighley News reporter
Gareth Beck and Kerry Knowles with baby daughter Poppy, whom Gareth delivered at home
Drama unfolded for a Cullingworth couple when the hero dad was forced to deliver his own baby daughter at home.
Gareth Beck described the unexpected chance to bring little Poppy into the world when partner Kerry Knowles went into labour as “awesome”.
He was guided through the process by an Airedale Hospital midwife on the phone while paramedics tried to find the house.
By the time they arrived at the New Clayton Terrace property, the proud dad had mother and baby propped up in bed.
Kerry, 31, said: “It was just a few pushes and she was born.
“Gareth realised what was happening and called up the hospital, who talked him through it. It’s lucky Gareth’s a very calm person. He was the hero – anything could have happened, really.”
Stannah Stairlifts rep Gareth, 46, described the experience as “absolutely wonderful”.
He said: “Before the birth I spoke to my mum in Australia and said I’d love to deliver Poppy myself – you’ve got to be careful what you wish for!”
The couple went to Airedale Hospital earlier the same day after Kerry began having regular contractions.
Staff decided the birth was not imminent and gave Kerry the choice of either going home or waiting on a hospital ward. Kerry, 31, said: “They didn’t seem to think I was in labour. Their machine didn’t pick up the fact I was having contractions.
“We decided to go home, and they gave me two painkiller tablets. But I was in a lot of pain – when we were walking back to our car, I had to stop three times.”
The couple returned home and were asked to phone the hospital four hours later – but Kerry went into the final stages of labour just three hours later.
Gareth said: “That was a stressful moment. Then Poppy’s whole body came out into my arms and she started crying.
“She had quite a red face so she was definitely a Poppy!”
Gareth said there was a “Rubik’s cube moment” as he tried turn Kerry round so she could hold Poppy without tangling herself in the umbilical cord.
A hospital midwife joined the paramedics at the couple’s home shortly after the birth and check-ed to make sure Poppy was in good health, despite being born 13 days early.
