Mini-midwife Lauren (7) helps deliver baby sister

Lauren Burman put her books aside to became an emergency midwife when her mum Clair (28) went into labour with daughter Charley.

Lauren ran upstairs when she heard her mother screaming and was forced into action when the baby’s head started to show.

“When Charley’s older I will tell her how her I was there when she was born and was the first person to see her,” said Lauren.

“At first it was a bit weird and disgusting, but then it got scary.”

After helping Clair onto the bed, Lauren frantically rushed across the road and called on neighbour Linda Platts (47).

Linda said: “Lauren came around and said: ‘Quick, my mummy’s having a baby.’

“When I got to the back door I could hear Clair screaming upstairs.

“The baby’s head was coming out as I came through the bedroom door.”

Clair, who was staying at her boyfriend Dean Wilkinson’s house, said that Lauren being home was meant to be.

“It was just fate that Lauren was off school that day because I knew I wasn’t too well and needed someone at home,” said Clair.

“After putting me on the bed she tried to keep me calm, but seeing the head coming out, she realised it was very real.

“She keeps saying: ‘Me and my sister are going to have a really close bond now that I helped save her life.’

“It was a real race against time, there must have been someone up there looking down on me that day.”

After Charley was born, weighing 5lb 13 oz, the drama was not over as she was having trouble breathing.

“The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck so we untangled it and started rubbing her chest,” said Linda.

“I was thinking: ‘Oh my God, please just breathe.’

“She was turning blue, so we just kept rubbing in hope really.

“I’ve seen it done on TV but never experienced anything like it myself.”

After Lauren and Linda helped clear the baby’s airways, Charley finally let out a gasp of air.

A relieved Linda added: “I’m so glad Lauren was there and came and got me, because things could have been so much different, but at the time I felt sick with shock.

“But Clair was asking me what was wrong and I had to keep her calm, despite knowing there was a problem.”

Clair (28), who was taken to Rotherham General Hospital where she remained overnight with Charley, added: “Lauren was being more sensible than I was.

“We look back on it now watching Holby City and Lauren says: ‘I can do that,’ and wants to be a midwife.

“My eldest two children would have ran out of the room, so I don’t know how she coped.

“It took a few hours to sink in, I don’t like to go upstairs too much now because it all comes flooding back.”

Lauren added: “I will remember that day for the rest of my life.”

“She’s the best sister I could have ever asked for.”