Call the midwoof! Woman reveals how her dog became the UK’s first canine birth assistant – and now won’t leave new baby’s side
- Belle the dog helps owner Amee Tomkin, 33, cope with her anxiety and ADHD
- Must read: Mother hails dog as lifesaver after she detects her breast cancer
A two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Belle, is believed to be one of the first dogs in the UK ever to be allowed on a hospital labour ward.
The clever dog was serving as a birthing partner to owner Amee Tomkin, 33, who has severe anxiety and ADHD.
Belle accompanied Amee through fertility treatment, as well as scans and midwife appointments during her pregnancy.
The dog was so well behaved that Milton Keynes University Hospital, allowed her to support nervous Amee on the maternity ward before she had a caesarean section in April.
Loyal pooch Belle was even waiting for Amee as she came out of theatre and was the first to meet Olly, her newborn son, in April 2023.
Amee in hospital with newborn Olly and her doggy midwife Belle, believed to be one of the first dogs in the UK ever to be allowed on a labour ward
Belle was the first to see Olly and welcomed him into the world with a lick. Now she doesn’t leave his side
Amee, from Milton Keynes, said: ‘Belle was waiting patiently in the hospital room when I went to theatre to have my baby.
‘And when I was wheeled back, she was the first to meet Olly – I couldn’t have done it without her.’
Since she was a tiny pup, Belle has been trained by Amee to be an assistance dog, helping her deal with her anxiety, autism and panic attacks.
And Amee said it was clear from the beginning that Belle was a natural at assisting her.
For the past eighteen months, the pup has accompanied Amee wherever she goes – and when she fell pregnant with her son Olly, after 12 years of fertility treatment, nothing changed.
She attended all her pregnancy scans with her, where doctors decided that a C-section would be better for Amee’s autism and anxiety, because she would know exactly what was happening.
Amee said: ‘Belle can detect symptoms of a panic attack, and does things like help me find exits in crowded places if she senses I’m feeling anxious.
The two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier accompanied Amee, 33, through fertility treatment, as well as scans and midwife appointments throughout her pregnancy
Amee, from Milton Keynes, said: ‘Belle was waiting patiently in the hospital room when I went to theatre to have my baby.’
Doctors decided that a C-section would be better for Amee’s autism and anxiety, because she would know exactly what was happening
The prospect of giving birth without Belle by her side was worrying for Amee, so her midwife asked Milton Keynes University Hospital if she could accompany her on the ward
‘She presses buttons on lifts and she even holds my debit card against the machine to pay for things when we’re shopping.
‘Basically, without her, I’m too anxious to leave the house. I’d just stay indoors all day and every day.
‘She came with me to all my appointments during my pregnancy and kept me calm – I couldn’t have done it without her.’
The prospect of giving birth without Belle by her side was worrying for Amee, so her midwife asked Milton Keynes University Hospital if she could accompany her on the ward.
Once the green light was given, doctors allowed the dog to sleep on Amee’s hospital bed.
Amee said: ‘She came with me to all my appointments during my pregnancy and kept me calm – I couldn’t have done it without her.’
She added: ‘As soon as she saw Olly, she gently sniffed him then gave his face a tiny lick to welcome him. Since then she has never left his side’
She rested her nose gently on her bump, near her belly button.
Amee said: ‘It was as though she was checking the baby’s heartbeat when I was pregnant.
‘She even learned to tell the difference between the baby’s heartbeat and my own. It was such a reassurance.
‘Belle was allowed to stay with me before I went went to theatre and we were given our own room so she could stay with me and the baby afterwards.
‘As soon as she saw Olly, she gently sniffed him then gave his face a tiny lick to welcome him. Since then she has never left his side.’
Milton Keynes University Hospital has been contacted for comment.
Source: Read Full Article
