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Jamie Oliver and his wife Jools have welcomed their fifth baby (yet to be named). Posting on Instagram the celebrity chef told his followers that Jools was “really really amazing” and “unbelievably” composed.
Later, Jools posted that Jamie was her “hero” and that the two of them were feeling “very happy” and “blessed.”
But along with the birth announcement the couple also told followers that their eldest daughters were present at the birth and that the girls, 14-year-old Poppy Honey and 12-year-old Daisy Boo, cut the cord.
Although having older children at the birth of younger siblings isn’t right for everyone, it’s not unusual.
Liz Wilkes, practicing midwife and spokesperson for Midwifes Australia says that there are several reasons that mothers want to bring their older child or children into the birthing suite with them
“Regardless of whether the birth takes place in a hospital, birth centre or at home, having an older child present can eliminate any separation anxiety for the mother and the child”.
“For others, bringing an older child to the birth of their younger sibling is a necessity – if their families are far away and they don’t have friends in the area. Or if the labour progresses very quickly.”
36-year-old Kylie Hill wanted to have her daughter, who was two at the time, present when she gave birth to her second child.
“I wanted Willow to feel close to her baby brother, and I thought that having her at home with me during the birth would be a great start to their relationship,” she says.
Hill says that she spent a lot of time preparing Willow for the birth and the pair spent time with Hill’s midwife. However, at two, Willow didn’t really understand.
When Hill went into labour Willow was more interested in the inflatable birthing pool than what was happening to her mum.
“At one point Willow came back into the room and stood next to me, she said, ‘what are you doing?’ – which was really sweet.
“Then she put her arm around me and mimicked me as I laboured. Then she wandered off to look at the birth pool again – it didn’t phase her at all”.
Hill’s labour progressed really quickly and baby Max was born a few moments later.
“When Willow first saw Max she was concerned that he was bleeding, but we were able to explain that he was fine.
“She wanted to strip off her clothes as Max and I were both nude. Then the three of us lay on the couch together, it was really beautiful,” Hill recalls
For Natasha Collins, the scenario was quite different. Her older daughter was a teenager, and was at the birth to provide support.
“Eva was 14 at the time, and very mature for her age. She was a huge support to me throughout my pregnancy, helping with the younger kids and coming to some appointments with me.
“When it came to the birth, it just made sense for her to be there too,” Collins explains.
Although the labour was quite long and intense, Eva stayed with her mum throughout.
“I couldn’t have done it without her really,” says Collins.
“I’m really proud of her.”
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