A young woman, pregnant with her first child, was able to be accompanied by her dog during her delivery, thus taking on the role of “doggy midwife”. A first in the UK.
It’s a one-of-a-kind childbirth which took place last April in the United Kingdom: a dog, a 2-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, helped her owner give birth in the University Hospital of Milton Keynes in Eaglestone. Amee Tomkin, 33, adopted her pet named Belle in 2021, as service dog. The young woman indeed needs this help on a daily basis, because she has an autism spectrum disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and often has panic attacks. Her dog Belle supports her in everything she does. “Belle can detect symptoms of a panic attack and does things like help me find exits in crowded places if she senses that I’m feeling anxious. She presses elevator buttons…”, said the young mother to South West News Service (SWNS), a British news agency. It is therefore quite natural that this young dog assisted her mistress on the day of her delivery.
The UK’s ‘first doggy midwife’
For the first time in the UK, a dog was able to accompany its pregnant owner to the hospital to support her. The daily Liverpool Echo also uses the term “first doggy midwife”. And for good reason, Amee Tomkin’s dog was able to stay with her most of the time, until the young woman goes down to the block for her caesarean section. “Belle was allowed to stay with me, and we were given our own room so she could stay with me and the baby afterwards.” she detailed.
After giving birth to her first child, a baby boy, named Olly, Belle was there to welcome the young mother and her baby. “As soon as she saw Olly, she gently sniffed him then gave him a little lick to welcome him… Since then, she has never left himAmee Tomkin told SWNS.
More than just a pet, Belle has been a huge help to Amee Tomkin. For the young mother, it was unthinkable to give birth without her dog by her side, especially after 12 years of infertility treatment. Belle supported her throughout her pregnancy, and still does. “She even learned to tell the difference between the baby’s heartbeat and mine… It’s so reassuring.”