Watching health talkshow-The Doctors-turned out to be a useful resource for Robert Stroud as he single-handedly delivered his son, Khristian at his California home on March 5.Yesterday Stroud, 40, told the T&T Guardian that he drew from the knowledge he got from watching the TV show to help his wife, Britney Harewood, 24, deliver their 3.7 kg son in the bedroom of their rented apartment at Railway Road, Dow Village. California.
Cradling his sleeping son in his arms, Stroud said that their story could have turned into a complete tragedy if God was not on their side that fateful night."It was like this–my mom was on one phone, I giving directions to the EHS (Emergency Medical Services) on the other phone and she (Harewood) kicking and screaming to get the baby out. It was just God who help me through it, yes, and the little experience I had watching the show-The Doctors-that had a demonstration of what for that (delivery)," he said.
Harewood said she was grateful Stroud was cool and collected because she was terrified."It was my first baby. Three things were going through my head. One, I could die, two, he (the baby) could die and what could happen to my husband if we died. Thank God he was here and was not like any other man who would pick up and run when they see what was happening" she said.
While the couple are grateful for a safe delivery, they agree that the situation could have quickly turned tragic, since they said earlier in the day, on March 5, Harewood was getting labour pains and she went to the hospital via ambulance.But, Stroud, who has two older children, said, the doctors told her she was not ready to give birth and sent her home "because of lack of space."
"Hours later, at 10 pm she come out the bathroom and collapse in pain. I had to lift her and carry her to the bed. Her water bag burst and she was in pain. I called the ambulance and she tell me the baby coming. I looked and saw the head," he said.At that point Stroud said what he learned from the documentary weeks before kicked in and he began to do what he saw on the tv show. He told her to breathe and push.He said he held the baby carefully as he came out the birth canal.
"I was happy. At that time I thank God that she did not die and there were no complications," he said.He said while he was delivery the baby, he heard a knock on the door and when he opened it he came face to face with three armed police officers. Stroud said with Harewood's screams someone thought she was in mortal danger and called the police."I told them my madame making child and closed the door. They left us. They did not offer help," he said.
Stroud said the ambulance came after baby Khristian was born and carried his wife and the child to the hospital.The baby was released from hospital on March 12.Doctors, he explained, kept the baby warded to run tests and make sure he was healthy and free from infections after the home delivery.Stroud said doctors and nurses need to pay better attention to their duties because he could have easily lost his wife and his son.