Travelodge receptionist delivers baby in hotel car park
A Travelodge receptionist saved the life of a baby she helped deliver in the hotel car park.
Heather McSharry's waters broke on 14 October outside the Travelodge Doncaster M18/M180 hotel four days before her due date, as the family stopped for a toilet break on the way to the hospital for a check-up.
Receptionist Karen Dyass (pictured: centre) said: "I was just coming to the end of my shift and was totally taken aback when a man ran into the hotel asking for help, he said there was a pregnant woman outside who was in labour. I immediately told a colleague to take over the reception desk and I grabbed a stack of fresh towels and ran outside."
Dyass and Heather's husband Matthew McSharry had to deliver baby Michael as paramedics talked them through the process on speakerphone. Dyass also had to clear the baby's airways with her fingers when he did not immediately begin to breathe.
She said: "It's an amazing and remarkable feeling delivering a baby and very scary when he was not initially crying. My instinct just kicked in and I knew I had to do whatever it takes to save this baby. I was so relieved when he started to cry."
Heather McSharry added: "I cannot thank Karen and Michael enough for what they did for me and my family. Karen just stepped in and took control of a very difficult and scary situation. I cannot begin to imagine what would have happened if Karen was not there."
Pictured, from left: Matthew McSharry, receptionist Karen Dyass, and Heather McSharry.
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