Off-duty policewoman helps woman deliver a baby on Doreen roadside

An off-duty policewoman says instinct kicked in as she helped a young mum deliver a baby by the side of the road in Melbourne’s northeast.

First Constable Alana Olivieri holds baby Charles with parents Kyle and Melissa Sherwood. Picture: Tony Gough

An off-duty police officer says instinct took over and nature took its course as she helped a young mum deliver a baby boy beside a busy Melbourne road.

Kyle Sherwood pulled over on Yan Yean Rd in Doreen before 5.30pm on Saturday as heavily pregnant Melissa Sherwood began to give birth in the back seat of their car.

First Constable Alana Olivieri, from Whittlesea police said she was on her way to work when saw the couple pull over in a hurry.

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“I saw Melissa and Kyle dart off the road pretty quickly,” she said.

“I did see Kyle sprint around to the passenger side and that’s when I thought I better get involved here.”

“So I turned around and came up behind the vehicle and said, ‘Is everything OK? What’s happening?’

“I initially thought it might have been like a child choking or some other episode but Melissa was actually giving birth to her second child.”

She said she didn’t really know what to do but instinct kicked in and together they delivered the healthy boy, named Charles Arthur Sherwood.

“I think my first words were, ‘I’m a police officer but I don’t think I can help very much’.

“And then I proceeded to try and find some hot water and rags — but all I had was a really nice jumper and we went from there.

“Melissa really did all the work and Kyle was awesome — I was just a bit of support I think.”

The Sherwoods were delighted and grateful.

Baby Charles is now at home with his proud parents.

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