New father thanks phone operator

Patrick and Lucy Goodenough met up with Sian Edmunds to thank her

A father who delivered his baby at home has thanked the ambulance controller in person who helped him over the phone.

Patrick Goodenough said Sian Edmunds was "spectacular" as she helped him bring his son into the world.

He had called for an ambulance after his wife Lucy went into labour in Bristol.

He was put through to the Welsh Ambulance Service and in a cross-border operation, Ms Edmunds gave guidance from Cwmbran, in Torfaen, south Wales.

The birth of Baby Goodenough, who has yet to be named, was the first time Ms Edmunds had helped a delivery over the phone.

"It all went well and although the dad was a bit anxious to begin with he did really well," she said.

"I suppose I was a bit nervous too but I just ran through a few things with him. The training kicks in and you follow the protocols.

We often have to deal with quite distressing incidents but this was one of the nicest things I had ever done Sian Edmunds, ambulance controller

"He put me on speaker phone so he had his hands free but it was sometimes quite difficult to hear each other but we managed and it was wonderful to hear the baby cry, it was a good, strong, healthy cry."

Mr and Mrs Goodenough, of Oldbury on Severn, near Bristol, had rung the hospital in Bristol to book a birthing suite at 0200 GMT on 17 December.

"But we realised that things were moving faster than we had expected," Mr Goodenough said.

"We rang for an ambulance and got through to the Welsh Ambulance Service and Sian was brilliant. She did a great job.

"She talked me through it and I did as she said. Lucy was on the bed in the bedroom.

"At one point Sian asked if I could see the head and I answered, 'I think so, I've got it in my hands'."

'Not going anywhere'

Their son was born at 0550 GMT and weighed in at a healthy seven and a half pounds (3.4kg), a brother for two-and-half-year-old Beau.

His relieved wife said: "I'm really proud of Patrick and so grateful to Sian who was wonderful on the phone.

"Southmead Hospital in Bristol were getting the birthing pool ready for me and then everything happened. It just came out of the blue.

"I mean I knew I was going to have a baby but thing just happened so fast. Patrick was trying to get me to get into the car but I said,'I'm not going anywhere.'

"It was very special though and I'll never want to move from this house now."

After meeting the family, Ms Edmunds added: "We often have to deal with quite distressing incidents but this was one of the nicest things I had ever done and it was really rewarding."