A baby born in the front of a car in a Nottingham Co-op car park has received an early Christmas present - meeting the ambulance crew who helped to bring him into the world.
Sam Clarke, 33, from Sawley, Derbyshire, gave birth to baby Jack in September in the front seat of her car when she got stuck in traffic and didn’t have time to reach Queen’s Medical Centre.
Sam, her husband Dan, and two-month-old Jack today met 999 call handler Penny Parkinson and ambulance crew Russ Perkins, Karen James and Wendy Thomas who helped to deliver him on 23 September.
Mum-of-two Sam said: “From start to finish, my labour took just 20 minutes, but Jack was born in the breach position.
“I was so relieved to see the ambulance crew arrive, and it's been lovely to meet the team again today. They were absolutely amazing.”
Sam had been visiting a friend in Long Eaton when her contractions started.She rushed home and rang her sister-in-law and birthing partner, Charlotte Bramley, 49, from Castle Donington, to come and drive her to the Queen's Medical Centre.
However, as they reached Beeston, Sam realised she wasn’t going to make it to hospital. They pulled over into the Co-op car park in Queen’s Drive, Beeston and Charlotte rang 999 for help.
Penny Parkinson, 999 Call Handler, kept Charlotte calm and talked her through how to deliver the baby.
Thankfully, Ambulance Technician Russ Perkins and Emergency Care Assistant Karen James arrived just in time to catch Jack as he was born in the passenger seat of Sam’s Peugeot 207 at 11.20am. Paramedic Wendy Thomas arrived soon after to check Jack over.
Karen explained that Jack wasn't breathing when he arrived, but by placing him on his mum's chest and providing stimulation, they got him to take his first cry.
She added that it was an honour to get to see Jack again and to meet his family in much calmer circumstances.
She said: "It is so rewarding to help deliver a baby, although it was a bit scary as Jack was in the breach position.
"When he took that first cry I was so relieved. It leaves you feeling so happy, and it's great to meet him again and have a cuddle. I'm in love with him!"
Following his dramatic entrance into the world, the Clarke family are looking forward to Jack’s first Christmas, and meeting the team who delivered him has been an early Christmas present.