A MUM has described the miracle birth of her baby boy – who was delivered at home by her partner and sister just minutes after going into labour at her Weymouth home.
Emily Filmer is now feeling like the luckiest mum in the world, but reliving the dramatic ordeal she says: “It could have all ended so differently.”
Despite being born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice and then failing to take his first breath for around 20 seconds, George Joseph Holliday is a perfectly healthy, happy baby who mum says is a joy to be around.
Describing how the events unfolded, Emily said she had felt a small contraction at around 3.30am on October 29 – two days before her due date - and got out of bed to fetch a drink and watch TV.
Around an hour later, when she had another contraction, she called the NHS Labour Line who asked if they should prepare her bath at Dorset County Hospital, where she was due to give birth.
She told the operator she would be getting a taxi to the hospital but was advised to call an ambulance to ensure she made it in on time.
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The 28-year-old, who is also mum to 20-month-old daughter Ava-Leigh, said: “As soon as I put the phone down, I gave birth to my amniotic sac but my waters didn’t burst. It was the most bizarre feeling and experience.
“I screamed for my partner, Michael, and sister, Keeley, to get up and they had to take off my clothes.
“They called 999 at around 4.45am and we had the operator on loud speaker. I think initially the operator thought we would have longer than we did, but then George’s head popped the water sac and my sister delivered him there on the settee.
“I couldn’t see anything that was going on but it was all very frantic. It was absolutely terrifying.”
George was born weighing 6lbs 14oz at 5.05am.
The family feared the worst when he was delivered ‘lifeless’, pale white, not breathing and with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice.
But Keeley, aged 27, carefully unwrapped the cord, wrapped him in a towel and rubbed his body.
Around 20 seconds later, little George took his first breath.
Emily said: “It was just horrific.
“He didn’t breathe for around 20 seconds. He looked lifeless and was completely white. It felt like a lifetime until he took his first breath.
“Michael and Keeley were screaming so I knew what was going on and knew something was seriously wrong.
“He was still attached with the umbilical cord but I couldn’t even look at him because I thought he was going to die. I couldn’t cope with that pain.
“But Keeley wrapped him in a towel and rubbed him, and then he took his first breath.”
Attentions then soon turned to Emily, who was bleeding heavily.
“There was a lot of blood”, says Emily.
“It was like something from a horror film.
“It was all a huge blur for me but Michael and Keeley were completely frantic. They were advised to keep me warm while we waited for the ambulance to arrive.
“When you give birth in hospital I think the doctors hide so much from you – but Michael and Keeley couldn’t disguise the horror on their faces. It really was a scary situation.
“But they did such an incredible job and I am so grateful. They didn’t really have a choice, but they were amazing. It’s all a total blur for me.
“It was actually the first time Keeley has stayed over the night at our house. She was due to take my daughter out the next day so decided to sleep the night. That was pure luck, but I’m so thankful she was there, as is Michael!”
Paramedics arrived at around 5.30am to check over mum and baby – and it was decided that Keeley should be the one to cut the umbilical cord as she had delivered baby George.
Emily and George were taken into Dorset County Hospital to be checked over and were both discharged at around 10.30am.
She said: “They were all really happy at the hospital with how we were so we were back home really quickly.
“George is a beautiful, health and happy baby boy. He’s eating and sleeping really well.
“He’s such a lovely little boy. You wouldn’t believe he went through that trauma to come into the world, and Ava-Leigh loves him. She’s wonderful with him.
“The whole thing has started to sink in now.
“I think when people hear you’ve had a surprise home birth, they think it must have been a really easy experience, but it really was terrifying. We are all so grateful that we had a happy ending because it could have so easily gone the other way.
“We are all very lucky.”
Keeley said: “The whole thing was really traumatic, but it was a happy ending and we have beautiful George here with us now.
“Although it was very worrying, to be able to deliver your nephew into the world is an amazing experience. I’ve told them all that he’s definitely my favourite now!
“He’s a gorgeous boy and we’re all so happy he’s here.”
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