Hero grandmother brings grandson into the world
By Mary Dennehy
A TALLAGHT grandmother made a very special delivery this week when she brought her new grandson into the world after her daughter went into labour at home.
Pauline Gillespie Cottuli called to her pregnant daughter Katie’s home shortly after 5pm last Sunday and at 5.28pm, had her beautiful new, 10lbs 15ozs grandson was in her arms.
Katie with her baby boy
Katie, who lives in Firhouse, started to feel things move at around 3pm on Sunday, November 22, and after some deliberation decided she’d go to the Coombe.
Shortly after 5pm, Pauline, who lives in Mountain Park, arrived at her daughter’s home to collect her grandson Codie, whom she was minding while Katie went to hospital.
However, the new baby had a surprise in store.
Speaking with The Echo, grandmother Pauline said: “Things just came along so quickly.
“I was in the house chatting with Katie and then suddenly, she was saying, ‘I think I’m going to have the baby’.
Katie and grandmother Pauline with the new baby boy who was born at home on Sunday and is yet to be named
“I rang 999, I could see the baby’s head.
“The operator on the phone was so calm and said he’d guide me through how to do it.
“I nearly fell out of my standing.”
Pauline added: “It was just herself [Katie] and myself in the bedroom, and the operator on the phone told me exactly what to do.
“The guy on the other end of the phone was fantastic and very reassuring…and between the three of us we delivered the baby at 5.28pm.”
Two minutes later, an ambulance and two paramedics arrived and took care of Katie and her new baby boy.
“The paramedics arrived and took over”, Pauline said.
“They were amazing and really looked after the two of them.”
On Tuesday of this week, Katie arrived home with her eager baby boy, who has yet to be named.
Looking back on the experience, Pauline said: “Everything happened so fast on Sunday…it was surreal.
“At the time it was nerve-wreacking but looking back afterwards, it was fantastic to be part of it.”
Daughter Katie took some time out to have a quick chat with The Echo and to thank her “hero” mam and the paramedics for their help.
“Thanks so much to my mam, the paramedic on the phone and the guys who came to the house in the ambulance… you were the perfect tag team”, Katie said.
“Thanks also to my family for all of the support after.
“My new baby boy is so good and I’m delighted to have him home.”
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