Eleven year old schoolgirl delivers mums baby… And still gets to school on time. – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Eleven year old schoolgirl delivers mums baby… And still gets to school on time.




new-baby-feet

 

Delivering a baby single-handedly and still making it to school on time; that’s all in a day’s work for Caitlin Burke.

The eleven-year-old heard her mother Tara Knightley going into labour around 5am, minutes after Knightley’s partner had left for work. The quick thinking youngster rang an ambulance and helped her mother through the birth.

The intuitive youngster from Tamworth in England was given advice and direction by the emergency service responder over the phone on how to help her mother through the birthing process. Her new little sister, Elsa-Monet, was born at 7:17am.

As soon as Caitlin single-handedly managed to deliver her sister, she unwrapped the umbilical cord- which had wrapped around her sister- and handed her to her mother. Calm as ever, Caitlin then left the house for school as normal for the day.

Caitlin said that she was “scared and shaky” at first because the experience was so alien to her, but was thrilled to meet her sister.

“When my sister was born, I was really happy. I think she’s really cute and I love her very much.”

Caitlin said that the amazing experience has inspired her to be a midwife when she’s older. Teachers and friends from her school expressed their pride after Caitlin’s courageous actions, and her mother praised her calm and collected manner throughout the birth.

“Caitlin was just amazing. I find it difficult to put into words just what she has done for me. I started getting contractions so my partner left to take my youngest to his sister’s house. But within 10 minutes of him leaving, my waters broke.

“I knew that as soon as that happened it wouldn’t be long before the baby was born. I told Caitlin to call for an ambulance, and they were telling her what to do over the phone. I was screaming in pain but Caitlin was calm throughout.

“I don’t know what I would have done if Caitlin had not been there. I couldn’t do what Caitlin has done at my age, let alone at the age of 11. She has such a bond with her baby sister now. She can’t leave her alone and keeps saying how much she loves her.”

Share this story

Tell us what you think on our Facebook page

Comments are closed.