A new mum has spoken of her shock after she gave birth at the roadside – not knowing she was pregnant.

Michaela Rhodes, 27, went into labour as she and husband Alan, 36, were off shopping.

Startled by his wife’s screams Alan pulled over and flagged down passers-by to help.

A nurse and a 16-year-old schoolboy leapt into action and baby Lilly popped into the world before paramedics could arrive.

“It was a complete shock,” said Michaela. “I didn’t even know I was pregnant.

“We were just going shopping to Huddersfield in the car when I started to have stomach cramps. Then it all became a bit of a blur.”

With teenager Ruwais Khan on his mobile relaying instructions from the ambulance service and school nurse Angela Robinson-Dobbins acting as midwife, baby Lilly was born weighing a healthy 9lbs 2oz.

Mum and baby are now doing well and recovering at home in Dewsbury. Michaela said: “She’s really chunky.”

The drama happened at 8.30am in Flash Lane, Mirfield.

Ruwais was heading to the nearby Castle Hall Academy when he heard a woman screaming.

He went to investigate and found the pregnant mum-to-be in labour at the roadside.

As he dialled 999, mum-of-two Angela, 47, of Mirfield, pulled over and started grabbing coats off passers-by to prepare Michaela for the imminent arrival.

Watch a video of Angela explaining exactly what happened by clicking below

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Modest hero Ruwais, who is to study engineering at Kirklees College in Huddersfield when he leaves school, said: “I just did what anyone else would have done. I still can’t believe it happened.”

School starts at 8.40am but it wasn’t until 9.15am that Ruwais finally walked through the door.

His head of year Gemma Atkinson said: “That’s the best excuse I’ve ever heard for being late – and I’ve heard some whoppers in my time. Ruwais is a real hero.”

Ruwais, who lives with his mum Naseem Rashid, brother Muhammad, 10, and sister Ammarah, 19, in Ravensthorpe, kept his cool on the phone to the 999 operator but said: “I didn’t know what road I was on so I had to run down and find the street sign!”

Angela, who has two children Eloise, five, and Cole, four, said: “As a nurse I had a duty of care to stop and help.

“When I got there the baby’s head was already half out and the mum was quite upset, shouting: ‘I don’t want to die.’ The dad was purely in shock.

“Lots of people stopped to help including a man walking his dog. He asked what he could do and I just said: ‘Give me your coat.’

“The baby came very quickly but when she was born she wasn’t breathing. I rubbed the baby and had to give her a couple of breaths. It was a relief when she started crying.”

Angela, who gave birth to both her children by Caesarian section, added: “I’ve never delivered a baby before though I did some training in a maternity unit as we all do.”

Angela praised Ruwais for keeping calm and said: “He was the coolest one there. He was brilliant.”

Castle Hall Academy, Mirfield, student Ruwais Khan who helped a woman in labour
Castle Hall Academy, Mirfield, student Ruwais Khan who helped a woman in labour

Ruwais is now a hero in school too. He has been presented with a special award, the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) award.

He was cheered by classmates when he was presented with the award in assembly and head teacher Andy Pugh said the whole school was proud of him.

“I remember when I became a father in my 20s and that was traumatic enough,” he said. “I can’t imagine what it was like for a 16-year-old boy.

“Ruwais is a lovely, bright lad and it’s great he was on hand to help. He is a credit to the school.”

Unusual birth stories: more dramatic deliveries and unexpected arrivals  - click here to see some amazing stories!

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