Baby Arrives Before Dad in Dramatic Home Birth
Becky Smithson from Thrapston, Northamptonshire, had to call 999 just 30 minutes after her waters broke. Her baby was on the way fast, and dad Callum couldn’t make it home from Cambridge in time.
Labour Hits Fast and Furious
Labour kicked off at 2:15pm with contractions every two minutes. Becky called an ambulance half an hour later and managed to get downstairs to open the door. Paramedics Tahlia Feasey and Josh Miller from East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) arrived moments before Sarah-Jayne Parsons and Jon Channon from East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) joined the scene.
Paramedics Handle Birth Complication Like Pros
When the team spotted Becky struggling with shoulder dystocia — a dangerous birth complication where the baby’s shoulder gets stuck — they sprang into action. Moving Becky into the perfect position, the paramedics safely delivered baby Imogen at 3:29pm. That’s just over an hour from the very first contraction.
Emotional Reunion and Special Gift
The paramedics reunited with Becky, Callum, and baby Imogen at their home on 18 September. Sarah-Jayne presented Imogen with a little paramedic teddy bear to mark her dramatic arrival.
“It was very interesting to hear their version of events as in my mind it all went really fast and smoothly. I didn’t realise how serious things were at one point when baby’s head was out, but her shoulder was stuck. They remained very calm and reassuring throughout,” Becky said.
“It was really lovely to see the crew again – they are such wonderful, kind and genuine people. Sarah also bought Imogen a paramedic crochet bear, which will be a memento of her wild entrance to the world, and incredibly thoughtful.
“The paramedics that day were true angels, and I will be forever grateful for their knowledge and care.”
