Nurse catches baby born in hospital's doorway

A BABY who was born in a hospital doorway was caught 'rugby-style' by a quick-thinking nurse. Little Erin Stewart appeared less than an hour into her shocked mother's labour – at the doors to the Princess Elizabeth.

Her speedy entrance during the early hours of Friday 5 September meant her parents Shani and Ellis had only just arrived at the hospital when their fifth child decided to make her surprise appearance.

'It all started with some pain at 2am,' said Mrs Stewart, speaking at the family's St Peter Port home this week. 'I got up and made some coffee and then woke my husband. I thought I would have a few hours.'

But Erin had different ideas and by 2.40am, her mother's waters had broken. The couple made good time in their early-morning dash to the PEH and reached the building at 2.53. But it still wasn't quite quickly enough.

'I only managed to walk as far as the doors,' she said. 'I shouted that she was coming, but no one believed me. The porter tried to put me into a wheelchair, but by then it was too late.'

With no other choice, Erin's mum adopted what she described as a 'rugby-style' crouch and put out her hands to catch her baby. 'The porter looked terrified. Then Erin just shot out. She slipped through my fingers and the nurse had to dive to get her.'