Man became midwife at quick birth

Caleb's parents said it happened too quickly for them to panic

A father had a crash course in midwifery when his partner gave birth in their lounge in just six minutes.

Shiralee Lodge, 28, began to go into labour at their home in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, and six minutes later their son was born.

Gary Warriner helped to deliver Caleb, while being instructed over the phone by an ambulance controller.

The couple said the birth happened so quickly that neither of them had time to panic.

At the time, I didn't have a lot of time to think about it, it had to be done, I was there and that's where the buck stopped Gary Warriner

"We literally walked in and sat down and I suddenly thought, I really need to push, then it just happened," said Ms Lodge.

Mr Warriner added: "I was straight on to the ambulance service, the very helpful lady on the other end talked me through it."

Such a quick birth is rare, but local midwives insist the couple did the right thing.

Stroud community midwife, Mandy Robotham, said the best advice was to "stay calm".

"I know it's difficult, but stay calm, because those babies which come quickly are usually fine," she said.

Mr Warriner said: "It was nerve-wracking afterwards. At the time, I didn't have a lot of time to think about it, but it had to be done, I was there and that's where the buck stopped."