I gave birth on the bathroom floor - with the help of my 8 year old niece!

May 9 2010 by Zoe Chamberlain, Sunday Mercury

WHEN Christina O’Brien suddenly began giving birth on the bathroom floor, she knew she needed help and quick.

But with her baby determined to make an appearance before the ambulance arrived there was only one person to turn to – her eight-year-old niece.

Bright schoolgirl Abigail Hancox sprang into action, fetching towels and holding her auntie’s hand – until little cousin Jamie arrived just seconds later.

Christina, 22, had been visiting sister-in-law Amanda’s house in Wyrley Birch, Birmingham, when she became stranded by the heavy snowfall of early January.

She recalled: “Abigail and I had fallen asleep, cuddled up on the sofa watching a DVD. She had been giving me a massage because I had been in a bit of pain.

“Then I woke up and it was 3.15am and my waters had broke.

“I woke Abigail up and she started jumping up and down, she was so excited. She kept saying, ‘I knew he’d come today!’’’

After travelling to hospital with partner Leigh, the mum-to-be was told the baby was not even close to arriving yet.

With a long wait expected, she returned to Amanda’s house while Leigh went to get her hospital bag from their home in Bromford, Birmingham.

Christina said: “Abigail was off school due to the snow and she was brilliant. She timed all my contractions and wrote them all down, she held my hand and rubbed my back and feet.

“At 6.10pm, I decided I wanted to go back into hospital as it was starting to get really painful and I’d had no pain relief.

“Abigail went to take a quick bath before we left. She was just getting dressed when I popped to the toilet before – and then I shouted out ‘there’s my son’s head!’

“It was such a shock. Amanda got straight on the phone to the hospital then called the ambulance.

Crying

“But by that time I’d lay down on the floor and Jamie was born. He came so quickly, it literally took 30 seconds and Abigail saw him being born and started crying.

“Then, without anyone saying anything to her, she ran downstairs and brought up fresh, warm towels. She must of then ran up and down the stairs six times, fetching baby clothes, my dressing gown, everything she thought I’d need.

“She did it all without being asked as I lay there in a daze thinking, ‘did that really just happen?’

“I’m sure it was all a bit of a shock to her but I’m pleased she was able to witness it. Both Abigail and Amanda said it’s the best thing they’ve ever seen.

“It’s a good job we’re all close. And I’m glad Leigh also got back in time with my labour bag to see Jamie being born.”

Nursery nurse Christina has settled into motherhood and four-month-old Jamie is thriving.

She said: “I stayed at Amanda’s for the first four weeks, so she and Abigail could help me out.

“Jamie and Abigail have an amazing bond. It was there from the start but it’s even greater now having been with him for the first weeks of his life.

“She’s like a mother to him. She changes his nappy and gives him his toys and he lies there smiling at her. They are so lovely together, they’re more like brother and sister than cousins.

“I know some children might have panicked if they’d witnessed a birth like Jamie’s but Abigail didn’t.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better birthing partner. She was there through all the tears, the pain and the laughter – and she’s only eight.’’

We’ve decided to make Abigail a Sunday Mercury Wonderkid to honour her amazing efforts.

Our awards, supported by Legal and General, celebrate children of courage. Each child is invited to a special party at Drayton Manor Park on July 3 where they will receive a cheque, medal and a front page of their story.

Garry Skelton, from Legal & General’s general insurance business, said: “Abigail stayed calm all the way through Jamie’s birth and she proved to be a great asset to her aunt Christina.

‘‘We look forward to welcoming the family, including the latest addition, to the Wonderkids party in Drayton Manor Park in July.”