They say there is something for everyone at The Gold Nugget, however staff never imagined that would include delivering a baby.
Staff at the gas bar in Chester were surprised when they found a woman in labour in their bathroom last weekend.
Debbie Sawler was working in the VLT room when someone rushed in and told her to come help.
“At first I just stood there, I couldn’t really take it in,” she said.
“He said someone from 911 would be calling me, which they did, and by the time I got to the bathroom the baby was born.”
Sawler said she was stunned when she saw the baby and the woman, but she and staff members Sherry Bears, and Jennifer Swinimer quickly jumped into action and followed 911 instructions while waiting for paramedics.
“They said wipe the nose and mouth and whatnot,” she said.
“They told me to try and get some towels to wrap the baby and keep it warm. So I ran into the kitchen and I’m yelling, ‘Oh god I need towels. There is a baby in the bathroom that was just born!'”
While waiting for paramedics to arrive, Sawler spoke with the new mother who explained her due date was the day before, and that she only felt pressure and didn’t figure she was going into labour.
Paramedics arrived shortly after and took the mother and her newly born child, who she named Fiona, to the hospital. Sawler said she heard they were released the next day.
For Sawler, she said the whole experience was something she will never forget.
“It was awesome and it was scary,” she said.
“I’ve had children myself, but it was almost a privilege to be there and experience this with her. I also couldn’t have done it by myself. The girls from the Café came over to help and between the three of us, we did what we could.”
Sawler said the staff at The Gold Nugget are putting together a small gift basket, complete with a custom onesie to give to baby Fiona and her new family.
Follow Cody McEachern on Twitter at @CodyInHiFi for more.
