Brad cut the cord in Namibia birth

It has been reported that Brad Pitt was in the operating room as Angelina Jolie gave birth to the couple’s daughter Shiloh by caesarean section – and was on hand to cut her umbilical cord.

The 30-year-old actress had the scheduled surgery because the baby, who weighed in at seven pounds, was in a breech position.

Details of Shiloh’s arrival into the world in Namibia at the weekend emerged from Jolie’s Lo Angeles obstetrician, Jason Rothbart, who flew out to the African country to help staff at a local private hospital with the delivery.

“Angelina underwent a scheduled caesarean due to breech presentation,” Dr Rothbart told People magazine.

“The baby was a healthy 7lbs.”

“Brad was with Angelina in the operating room the entire time and cut the umbilical cord of his daughter.

“The surgery and birth went flawlessly. The staff, nurses and doctors I worked with at the Cottage Medi-Clinic Hospital were amazing, it was a team effort.”

Jolie and Pitt said in a statement released to the magazine: “We would like to deeply thank the staff of the Cottage Medi-Clinic Hospital for all their kindness and commitment in assuring the successful birth of our daughter.”

According to People the hospital, in the coastal town of Swakopmund, has nine doctors and nine nurses tending to the eight-bed obstetrics unit.

Doctors there try to make childbirth an experience the whole family can share in.

They encourage “rooming in” – babies and mothers staying in the same room - and breastfeeding and feeding on demand.

Both parents are encouraged to bathe the baby, and fathers and siblings are welcome to visit.

Shiloh has a brother Maddox, four, and a one-year-old sister, Zahara.

The couple have thanked the impoverished African nation where their daughter Shiloh was born by giving nearly $320,000 (€250,000) to help other babies.

The donation will pay for equipment for the maternity wards at Namibia’s state hospitals in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.

“We want to contribute to Namibia and the people who have been so gracious to us at this time,” Pitt and Jolie said in a statement.