Dad Delivers sixth child (From Stroud News and Journal)

Dad Delivers sixth child

WHEN Chris Fry's partner Lorna suddenly went into labour at their Cashes Green home the skilled plasterer had the situation covered.

Although more used to wielding trowels than hot towels he fought off his own panic to help bring his sixth child into the world.

Within minutes of the drama unfolding little Ashton Fry popped out weighing 8Ibs.

Mum Lorna was pleased as punch this week with the cool headedness of her impromptu midwife.

"He was absolutely marvellous, I am so proud of him," she said. "I think he deserves some recognition for what he did."

The drama began in the early hours of Sunday morning when Lorna started feeling labour pains.

She telephoned Stroud Hospital to see if there was a midwife available but there wasn't one immediately so she rang maternity staff at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, who told her to go to the hospital straight away. But baby Ashton had other ideas.

"Just as I was ringing Stroud again to tell them what was happening my waters broke," said Lorna. "I said 'the baby's coming now' and got on all fours.

"He (Chris) got a towel straight away and guided the baby's head out, then caught her. He was brilliant."

The plasterer-turned-midwife said the birth , which happened in the space of a few minutes on their bedroom floor, was a nerve-wracking experience.

"It was a bit of an eye-opener," he said. "I am alright catching bricks and things like that but not babies.

"I was panicking a bit because if anything did go wrong I wouldn't have any idea how to deal with it. But I think if it happened again I wouldn't mind."

Both mother and baby are now safely at home with their five siblings Daniel, eight, George, seven, Paige, five, Jay, three, and Tegan, one.