Midwife gives birth to baby girl on the hard shoulder of Scotland’s busiest road

There was no time to call the midwife when Carol Sichi went into labour four weeks early on Scotland’s busiest road.

Luckily there was no need as Carol is herself a midwife and gave birth to baby girl Kori on the hard shoulder of the M8.

Her husband Chris, meanwhile was simply stunned as his infant daughter arrived in the front seat of the family car.

Mum-of-five Carole, 32, had asked Chris, 33, to drive her to Glasgow’s Royal Maternity from the family home in Uddingston when she felt labour pains.

But, five miles from the hospital, baby Kori decided she could wait no longer and Carol shouted at Chris to stop their Dacia Stepway on the hard shoulder, just in time for baby Kori to arrive.

© Andrew Cawley / DCT Media

Carol said: “I could feel Kori’s head about to be born and shouted on Chris to stop the car. Chris was all for driving on but it was going to be hard enough to give birth on the motorway without doing it in a moving car.

“I got on with the work and Chris stood outside on the hard shoulder watching. There was nothing else he could do.

“There was no panic. I just went into midwife mode. That helped a lot. I have had a few patients who have had babies on the way to hospital and dreaded doing it myself.

“But it wasn’t so bad… just a bit scary but thankfully, a straightforward delivery.”

Chris said: “I just wanted to get to the hospital in time.

“But all I could do was stand outside the car and watch Carol deliver the baby.

“It was the moment every dad dreads, being trapped on the motorway with your wife about to give birth.”

The couple had made it to junction 11 at The Fort shopping centre on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Traffic sped by just feet from the car as the dramatic delivery unfolded last Saturday.

“With this being Carol’s fifth baby, I had a feeling that the delivery would be quick,” Chris added.

“Our other babies have all been born early. Little Kori is none the worse for being born on the M8.”

© Andrew Cawley / DCT Media

With their newborn wrapped in a blanket and bundled in Carol’s arms, the couple called ahead to the Royal Maternity.

Carol then texted a pic of the surprise bundle to her mum, also Carol, who was looking after their older children back home.

“She was stunned,” Carol said.

Baby Kori was born eight days ago, the day before Mother’s Day.

She weighed in at 4lbs 4oz – four weeks early.

Now back at home with her big brother and three big sisters, she’s doing fine.

But Carol, who works at Crosshouse Hospital, in Kilmarnock, insists this is their last baby.

The couple found out they were expecting another child just two days before Chris was due to get the snip.

“He has gone ahead with the op because we have a full house now,” Carol added.

The couple registered Kori’s birth last week in Glasgow and Carol wanted to put “junction 11, M8” on the birth certificate but was told that all babies born on the way to hospital are registered as having been born there.

“It would have been nice to show her when she grows up but I’m sure she will hear plenty about it from ourselves,” Carol said.

“I will now be able to tell any patient who has their babies by the roadside that I know exactly how they feel.”