First baby born at Holiday Inn London - Stratford City

Oct. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- Katea Mbaki was recently born in room 644 of Holiday Inn London – Stratford City hotel, located in the popular Westfield Stratford City shopping complex, at the aid of hotel Duty Manager, Gloria Taiariol and Westfield Stratford City’s Security Officer, Michelle Long.

When 27 year old Giselle Mbaki phoned reception at Holiday Inn London - Stratford City, it wasn’t for room service but to request an early check out because she was going into labour!

Mrs Mbaki, 39 weeks pregnant at the time, her three children and her husband checked into the Holiday Inn London - Stratford City for the weekend as a temporary shelter whilst emergency repairs were being made to a leaking pipe in their house in Canning Town.

Gloria, who had never witnessed a labour before said; "my colleague Laki at reception informed me that there was a lady in room 644 wanting to check out because she was in labour so my instinct was to immediately attend to her.

Gloria rushed up to room 644 and convinced Giselle, who despite acting calm, was already entering the advanced stages of labour, to call for an ambulance with the help of the on-site Westfield security team.

"I informed Michelle at Westfield security to call for an Ambulance then I helped dress Giselle’s two younger children whilst contacting her husband to update him on the news.

Michelle Long, Westfield Stratford City’s Security Officer and also an experienced first aider and mother, came to help Gloria and assist Giselle during her strong and fast contractions as they waited for an Ambulance to arrive.

"I knew we had little time left before the baby came’ says Michelle, ‘when the paramedics finally arrived we were told to go back to the room. So we got Giselle comfortably onto the bed and stayed with her throughout the delivery. Gloria was running back and forth to making sure the paramedics had everything they needed, this meant a lot of hotel towels!

Katea was swiftly born at 10.39pm weighing 4.7kg under 2 hours previous to Giselle’s first call to reception.

Giselle Mbaki, now mother of four children under 11, said "staff at the Holiday Inn took care of me, my family and my new baby amazingly. Having a baby in a hotel room is something you don’t anticipate and is definitely an experience I will never forget. Gloria and Michelle were amazing and acted very fast".

Gloria continues; "Looking back, all Giselle was concerned about was paying the bill and getting to hospital, I’m so glad that I acted on my instinct. When people talk about going beyond the call of duty you don’t imagine helping a baby into the world! At least now I know what that is all about.

www.hilondonstratford.co.uk