A Lanarkshire mum has paid an emotional thanks to the hero ambulance staff who helped her give birth in her bedroom.
Laura Jackson, from Rutherglen, went into labour at home on August 30, just hours after she had attended hospital but was only 1cm dilated.
The 30-year-old had no time to get to hospital so her partner Liam Barrett, 30, called 999 for an ambulance. The crew arrived and within 20 minutes Laura had given birth to baby Blaine.
First time mum Laura, who described the incident as 'terrifying', has now thanked staff from the Scottish Ambulance Service who helped her through the ordeal.
Laura said: "It was only myself and my partner, Liam, at home and it was terrifying. It was really scary, especially because it was our first baby and we didn’t know what to expect.
"Liam was able to stay calm, which helped me. The SAS call handler was really helpful trying to keep him calm and prepare him in case the baby arrived before the ambulance."
Bank worker Laura had gone for a bath to ease the pain of her first contractions when she quickly went into labour and started to feel the baby pushing down.
She said: "We got home from the hospital at 6am and I got in the bath. It [contractions] started getting really sore.
"Due to the pain, I had to get out of the bath and I went through to my bedroom to try to get comfortable on the bed. Liam phoned the hospital again to tell them the baby was coming but they said we wouldn't make it in time and told him to call 999."
After immediately calling 999, Liam and Laura reached the call handler, Lesley Dalrymple, who talked the couple through what to do until colleagues arrived. Paramedic Stewart Ramsay, from Glasgow East, and Technicians Nadine Nicholson and Yvonne Carlin, of East Kilbride, arrived just in time.
She continued: "I had a very fast labour and we delivered the baby in my bedroom. Liam phoned the ambulance and they arrived at 8.45am. Blaine was born at 9.05am."
"The technicians and paramedic helped us deliver Blaine safely and really put me at ease after the birth and on the way to the hospital. I’d like to thank them so much for everything."
Laura said Blaine was doing “great” after the birth and added: “He’s getting so big already and is such a happy and content baby.”
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