GIVING birth in hospital is something millions of women do each day, but going into labour in a packed-out waiting room is something one Prenton mother had not been expecting.

Riane McEwan, from Prenton, told husband Chris it was time to get her to Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital fast last Friday after their second child began her journey into the world.

But Elsie – who was eight days overdue – would not wait and was determined to make a surprise arrival – in the hospital’s reception area.

With Chris, 36, trying his best to get Riane inside the hospital as quickly as he could, Elsie refused to pause her dramatic entrance.

“I got to the hospital doors and that was it,” said Riane, who is also mum to three-year-old Finnley.

“We got out of the car and my waters were going. We had just got up the ramp and inside the automatic doors when I felt her coming out so I just dropped to the floor.”

Luckily for Riane, midwife Helen Burghall was on her way to lunch and came to the rescue, catching Elsie and handing her to her waiting mother.

Despite the obvious embarrassment that comes with giving birth in front of a waiting room filled with dozens of people, Riane says there are positives to her speedy labour.

She had visited the hospital earlier that day for a routine appointment, with suspected contractions, and was booked in to be induced.

The couple had only been at home for around an hour when Riane’s contractions became more urgent, sparking their dash to the hospital.

Riane said: “With Finnley I was in labour for four hours and with about two weeks to go with Elsie I was panicking – I couldn’t believe I had to go through it all again.”

“But I didn’t push, I got away with it in that sense. It was uncomfortable for 40 minutes and that was it.
“It was traumatic but it had its plus points.”

While Riane considers herself lucky for having such brilliant care during labour, she says the same doesn’t go for the midwife who came to the rescue.

“The midwife, Helen, was fantastic. She was just wanting to go and get a sandwich and instead she had to catch my baby with no gloves on.

“I closed my eyes for a bit and when I opened them, five midwives were looking at me – I don’t know where they came from or how they got there so quick but they were brilliant.”

Although the labour was watched by other mums-to-be in the waiting room, Riane told the Globe she was unaware of their presence until after Elsie arrived.

“As soon as the baby was coming, I didn’t care where I was or what I was doing, I just had to get on the floor.

“It was only after that I looked around and I was like, ‘Oh God, sorry’.”

In the end, more than 15 members of staff helped Riane to the privacy of the labour ward, holding up sheets to avoid any further embarrassment.

A message of thanks placed on the Women and Children’s Hospital’s Facebook page by Riane has received more than 260 likes and dozens of comments.

“Several people have commented to say that they saw it happen and that everyone was crying.

“Everyone has been so lovely. The staff were fantastic – I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

“Chris was brilliant – had I told him a week before that this was going to happen, he would have panicked, but he was perfect and I owe him a lot – if it wasn’t for him getting me inside I would have given birth on the zebra crossing.”

Jill Galvani, director of nursing and midwifery, said: “Our fantastic midwives recognised the situation and dealt with it promptly and professionally.

“They realised the delivery was imminent and that there was no time to move Riane. Midwives are trained to deal with experiences like this and it was our priority to ensure a safe birth, but to maintain her dignity.

“Riane may have felt overwhelmed at hearing a round of applause when Elsie suddenly arrived, but with the public sharing this moment it means they have been part of something special with the safe arrival of a beautiful baby. I’m sure everyone will never forget how Elsie arrived!

“We are fortunate at Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital in that we have experienced staff on hand, who can cope with any emergency that literally walks through our doors, and we feel privileged to have been part of this experience with Riane and her husband, even if it was sooner than expected.”