Mum, 31, who fell pregnant by her 16-year-old toyboy lover after they met on Facebook reveals he delivered their baby at home… and they’re now a happy family
Kathleen Martin, from County Durham, says her two other children get on well with her partner Jack - despite there only being five years between him and her eldest
A MUM has told how she fell pregnant by her 16-year-old toyboy lover, who is almost half her age, after meeting him on Facebook - and they're now a "happy family".
Kathleen Martin, now 32, from County Durham, began chatting to teenager Jack Fucile, now 18, on the social media site in June 2015 after he offered to help sort out her garden.
After seven months together, Kathleen discovered she was pregnant - and Jack ended up delivering their baby in the bedroom when she went into labour three-and-a-half weeks early.
Now their son, Jay, is nine months old, and despite the fact Kathleen already has two children from previous relationships, with only five years between Jack and her eldest, she said they all get along "really well".
She explained: "We are just one big family now and it's really lovely.
MOST READ IN LIVING
"When Jay gets older we will tell him how his daddy brought him into the world - and tell him what a good job he did."
Kathleen admitted she did have reservations about dating Jack, who is 14 years younger than her and had only just left school when they met.
She told how Jack's mum Angela, who is eight years older than her, was "shocked" when she heard about their relationship.
But Kathleen said it didn't feel like there was an age gap between her and Jack, who now works as a car valeter.
She explained: "Jack is really mature for his age. Despite the age difference, we got on really well."
When she told Jack she was expecting, Kathleen said he was thrilled.
"Once he got over the shock, he loved the fact that he was going to be a dad," she recalled.
"My pregnancy progressed smoothly, and Jack was really overwhelmed when he saw the 20-week scan.
"He was so excited, he just couldn’t wait for the baby to arrive."
Kathleen told how she began experiencing early labour pains last August and the couple set off to Sunderland Royal Infirmary.
She recalled: "When they saw me there, they told me the baby wasn’t coming yet and to go back and wait for more contractions.
"I kept going backwards and forwards to the hospital over the next few days.
"I went five times and each time I was sent home because they said I was not ready to give birth yet.
"But I could feel the baby was on its way - I’d given birth to two children already, so I certainly knew what it felt like!"
After the fifth trip to the hospital, Kathleen told how she and Jack were getting ready for bed when her waters suddenly broke.
She said: "I was screaming with the pain while Jack rang the hospital, and they started to tell him what to do to help me give birth over the phone.
"He managed to get my pyjama bottoms off, and already he could see the baby’s head.
"Jack just went into auto pilot as he listened to instructions from the hospital staff and he guided the baby out and into his arms.
"It was literally all over in five minutes, and then the signal went on Jack’s mobile, cutting him off from the hospital."
Kathleen recalled how the baby looked worryingly blue, as if he wasn’t getting enough oxygen.
"Jack quickly sprang into action. He wrapped towels around the baby and started rubbing his body," she said.
"After a few minutes, he had turned a much more healthy pink colour and started to cry, which was such a relief.
"I was crying with the emotion of it all. Jack had been so fantastic. Even though he is only 18, he got down to it and delivered our baby without a hitch.
"Some men faint when they are in the hospital delivery room without even having to do anything!"
The couple took baby Jay, who weighed 6lb, to hospital for a check-up and he was given a clean bill of health.
Kathleen said her children, aged 13 and five, were "thrilled" to meet their baby brother and "love him to bits".
She added that Jack is now very much a hands-on dad.
"While other lads his age are hanging out with mates and drinking, Jack is here being a great father to baby Jay," she said.
"He doesn’t get squeamish when he changes a nappy and he’s great at bottle feeding him too.
"All our family and friends were amazed that Jack had delivered our baby. I still can’t believe it even now.
"When I look at him I just marvel about what he did."
Jack admitted: "It was a real shock when Kathleen started giving birth in the bedroom.
"It was all pretty surreal. None of my mates have delivered their own babies.
"I was in shock for a while afterwards, but I’m proud of myself for doing it."
Last month we told how a mum-of-four, 39, fell pregnant two months into dating her toyboy lover, 24, and was cruelly dubbed a "4 x 4" and "dole bludger" after they split.