Care worker gives birth in office - with a little help from her BOSS

It is not everyday that your boss turns makeshift midwife to deliver your baby.

Sarah Woodman cradles baby Jacob with her boss Gill Jones and daughter Emily Sarah Woodman cradles baby Jacob with her boss Gill Jones and daughter Emily [Wales News Service Ltd ]

But for devoted care worker, Sarah Woodman this is exactly what happened when she called in to work to catch up with colleagues the day before she was due to give birth. 

The 27-year-old went into labour and broke the news, saying: "Sorry but the baby is on its way".

Luckily quick-thinking home manager, Gill Jones stepped in to miraculously deliver a healthy 7lbs 9oz baby boy Jacob. 

Delighted Ms Woodman said: "It isn't every day that your boss delivers your baby. But Gill calmed me down and was magnificent."

Baby Jacob was born weighing 7lbs 9oz Baby Jacob was born weighing 7lbs 9oz [Wales News Service ]

It isn't every day that your boss delivers your baby. But Gill calmed me down and was magnificent

Sarah Woodman

Ms Woodman visited her office with partner Matthew Atkins, 32 at the Cherry Tree Care Home, where she works as an assistant on September 17. 

At nine-months pregnant, she was due to be induced the next day. 

But within minutes, Ms Woodman realised her waters had broken - and she was never going to make it to the hospital. 

An astonished Ms Jones - who is a trained nurse - but had never delivered a baby, took control. 

The pressure was on as 38 residents waited for the good news as Ms Jones delivered the baby in the lounge of the care home in Caldicot, South Wales. 

Ms Woodman, who has a five-year-old daughter Emily, described the moment she realised her baby was arriving in to the world sooner than planned. 

"It was quite traumatic.

"The birth is all a bit fuzzy and I can't remember much of what was going on.

"I think it took about 20 minutes after I arrived at the Cherry Tree, my waters broke while I was there.

"It was slightly embarrassing but I wouldn't have made it any different, the staff were amazing," she said. 

Praising her very own midwife, she continued: "I couldn't have done it without Gill - I wouldn't have made it to the hospital I think I probably would have had to give birth in a service station." 

Mother and baby were taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport and kept overnight as a precaution. 

They are now both doing well at home in Caldicot. 

His mother's workplace will certainly remain a huge part of Jacob's life as Cherry Tree Care Home has been recorded as the place of birth on his birth certificate.

Ms Woodman said: "Jacob is a lovely, hungry little boy he loves to be cuddled. He's been passed around the staff already. We will be part of the Cherry Tree for life." 

Proud boss Ms Jones, 56, who has worked at the home for 22 years said she simply followed her instincts. 

"I've never done midwifery before but I've had a baby of my own. 

"I went with my instincts and kept calm and it was only afterwards that I thought what if.

"It will stay with me forever- all the residents were really excited," she added. 

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