‘All in a day’s work’: Hospital security team helps mother deliver baby in car park
A new mother has spoken of the “care and compassion” of a security team who helped safely deliver her baby in a hospital car park.
When Lewisham resident Odia, 30, arrived at University Hospital Lewisham, in Lewisham High Street, at around 9.30am on January 26, she was in active labour.
As she stepped out of the car with her partner, Obi, she called out that the baby was coming.
Odia said: “Since it was early, there were not many people around to help when we needed it.
“Luckily, Ade from the security team was on patrol at the time.”
Security Officer Ade Oloye noticed the couple in distress. He approached them and asked if they needed help.
Obi explained that his wife was in labour, and they needed to get to the Lewisham Birth Centre.
Mr Oloye called for back-up from his security site supervisor, Mohammed Elamine Chabat, but soon realised that Odia had no time to wait and was about to give birth in the car park.
Within minutes, Odia had delivered a baby daughter, with the help of her partner and Mr Oloye.
Odia said: “Ade showed great care and compassion, which we appreciate, as we were in such a vulnerable position.”
Mr Oloye described the ordeal as “intense and emotional”.
He said: “I felt an immense sense of pride in being able to help at such a crucial moment and play a role in the delivery of baby Ocean.
“This was a reminder that security colleagues play a much broader role in ensuring the well-being of people, not just through protection, but also by offering care and compassion when it matters most. It really is all in a day’s work for us.”
When Mr Chabat arrived just a few moments later, he was surprised to find baby Ocean safely in her father’s arms.
Mr Oloye contacted the Emergency Department to dispatch medical colleagues while Mr Chabat ensured both mother and baby were stable.
Given the cold weather, the team provided blankets to keep the newborn and her mother warm and continued reassuring Odia, who later described the experience as “one of the most incredible moments” of her life.
Mr Chabat said: “We focused on keeping the mother calm, offering support, and even sharing a light-hearted moment when we told her that, in addition to being security officers, we were now midwives too.”
Both mother and baby were later taken inside the hospital for medical checks before being discharged to return home together.
Mr Oloye said: “Congratulations to Odia and Obi on the arrival of their beautiful baby. We wish them good health, endless love, and precious moments together.”
Odia has thanked the security guards, saying she received “brilliant service” from everyone involved at the hospital.
A spokeswoman for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust said: “One month on, the family is doing well and feel ready to share their amazing story of Ocean’s unusual arrival into the world.
“Luckily there aren’t many babies that end up being born in the hospital car park, and while Ade and the team are now prepared for anything, they are hoping it stays that way.”
Pictured top: Odia and her partner Obji holding their new baby girl, Ocean, alongside security colleagues at University Hospital Lewisham (Picture: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust)