Birthing tutor turns theory into practice (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Birthing tutor turns theory into practice

11:33am Wednesday 11th June 2008

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It gives a new meaning to the miracle of childbirth.

When a Southfields mum went into labour in a college car park, the school's antenatal teacher was on hand to deliver the baby.

“I was due to teach a class of expectant parents at 7pm. I had just pulled into the car park at 6.25pm, when I heard what I recognised as a woman in labour. "

Mindy Cockeram

Racked by frequent contractions, Fiona Parker-Cole, 38, and her husband Rob, 33, of Hambledon Road, set off for hospital last Wednesday evening, but Mrs Parker-Cole's screams forced them to cut their trip short at Southfields Community College.

As Rob called an ambulance to say his wife was giving birth, antenatal teacher Mindy Cockeram heard the commotion and went over to help.

Mrs Cockeram, 44, said: "I was due to teach a class of expectant parents at 7pm. I had just pulled into the car park at 6.25pm, when I heard what I recognised as a woman in labour.

"I always carry a towel in my car so I grabbed it and told the parents who I was."

With the doors of the car flung open and Mrs Parker-Cole lying on the back seat, Mrs Cockeram talked her through the correct breathing, sheltered her from the curious crowds, and caught baby Oscar when he popped out 15 minutes later.

The ambulance arrived to take the new mum to hospital, and Mrs Cockeram headed to the college to begin her class.

She said: "It was perfect timing. The father came in 20 minutes later to thank me and the class gave him a round of applause.

"It was encouraging for them to realise birth can happen really quickly, and it's not always three days of pain.

"It was a magical but textbook birth. The mother was very efficient and all the credit goes to her," Mrs Cockeram said.

The tutor, who was trained by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), had studied the birthing process numerous times on TV but had only previously been present at the birth of her own two children.

She said: "I didn't have time to be scared. I was more relieved that I happened to be there. If you panic the mother it can get hairy."

Mrs Parker-Cole, who had hoped to have a water birth, was full of gratitude for Mrs Cockeram's intervention.

She said: "It's not the most dignified thing to have a baby in a car park, but Mindy was absolutely amazing.

"She was so calm and authoritative.

"It seemed like she knew what she was doing, and that got me through."

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