Our ambulances are there for people in life-threatening emergencies and urgent need and this can often mean they have the privilege of bringing new life into the world.
Today Katie Noble and husband Tom, from Lincoln, were reunited with their “green angels” who delivered their daughter Amaryllis on 22 August at their home.
Katie, who was expecting her second child, had planned to have a home birth, surrounded by family.
On 22 August she started having contractions and called her local maternity unit for the home birth midwifery team. The hospital advised that the midwifery team were busy at another home birth and would come as soon as possible.
Katie’s contractions started to get worse and with her labour progressing she began to panic. She told husband Tom to call 999.
Within minutes Paramedic Mike Cooksley was on scene, followed by ambulance crew; Paramedic Richard Charman and Emergency Care Assistant Mark Betts.
A few moments later baby Amaryllis was born, weighing 7lb 4oz. With an unplanned – and as Katie describes is a “traumatic” birth – she was keen to say thank you to the staff who helped her in her time of need.
Katie said: “Nobody plans to have their baby delivered by paramedics, but I was so relieved when they walked through the door. They are heroes.”
She added: “When you deliver your baby in hospital you have a photograph with your midwife to show your baby when they are older, it was important to me to know the names of the ambulance crew and also tell them how invaluable they were.”
Husband Tom said: “I was trying my best to remain calm but I was thinking I would be the one to deliver Amaryllis. I was so thankful to Mike, Rich and Mark, they are a credit to the NHS.”
Katie, Tom and Amaryllis attended Lincoln Ambulance Station today to say thank you and take those valuable photographs to show Amaryllis when she is older.
Mike said: “It’s been brilliant to meet Katie, Tom and Amaryllis again. It’s always nice to see a face that you helped deliver into the world again.”
Richard’s was the first face Amaryllis saw when she was brought in the world and he said it was lovely it was to receive positive feedback.
Mark added: “It’s been great to see the family are doing well as we rarely have any follow up after leaving a patient or handing over at hospital.”
Katie and Tom gave Mark, Richard and Mike a thank-you card and chocolates to show their gratitude.
It said: “I am so grateful you arrived as it would have been scary delivering our baby alone, I am so thankful I have managed to tell you how grateful we are for all your support as I don’t think NHS staff get told enough just how amazing they are.
“It was very important for me to be able to tell you thank you and for you to know how grateful I am to you.”
