A MUM has been reunited with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) team who helped deliver her baby beside the M5.

Leanne Parrett, 31, was on her way to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital with her husband Sam when her labour reached the final stages just by the Dursley slip road on to the M5.

Sam pulled over in a lay by and called 999 when he realised that Leanne was about to give birth in the back seat of their car.

With only the 999 control hub on the line for guidance baby Sebastien arrived moments later, a healthy baby boy weighing 8lb 12oz.

Leanne said: “I was squatting in the back seat and I just needed to push, and within two pushes he was out and Sam grabbed him, and then he (the baby) started to cry.”

Charles Passmore, Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) for SWASFT took Sam’s 999 call.

He said: “The call came to me and it was clear from the start this was going to be an emergency birth as they were still on the motorway.

“Pregnancy incidents are one of the most unpredictable calls we face as EMDs, as there are multiple scenarios that could change at any time so I knew I had to be fully focused.

“After I gathered the basic information about the scene and the patient details, the baby had already started to show, so time was of the essence. I began giving the instructions to the father to get the mother into the correct position, and to get some towels and other equipment ready for the baby’s delivery.

“The baby was delivered in a short amount of time and after making sure that his airways were clear and that he was breathing effectively, it was then my job to make sure the new-born was warm enough. Then the priority was to check on the mother and make sure she was okay and not deteriorating in any way.”

Leanne said: “The call handler was amazing and stayed on the phone with Sam the whole time (approx. 20/25 minutes) until the ambulance arrived. They made sure Sam knew what to do immediately following the arrival of Sebastian!”

The first SWASFT paramedic on scene was Scott King who got there on his motorbike.

Soon after an ambulance arrived with Paramedic, Amy Johnson and Emergency Care Assistant, Lloyd Easton arrived on scene.

Leanne said: “Scott was first to arrive on the bike and offered me gas and air as I was still in pain.

"He put a hat and nappy on Sebastian and checked he was okay.”

“Then Amy and Lloyd arrived in the ambulance and Sam got to cut the cord and we went to hospital.

“I am so so thankful for everything the NHS has to offer and these wonderful people made a scary and stressful situation so calm and memorable.”

Charles, EMD, added: “This was a brilliant call to be a part of and a wonderful moment that I will never forget and I wish them all the best of luck.”

Lloyd, emergency care assistant, said: “This was one of the best jobs I have ever been to.

"Although it was an incredibly stressful situation for Leanne and Sam to find themselves in, it had the best outcome anyone could have hoped for – a beautiful healthy baby being brought into the world.”

“As a family they can cherish that terrifying but incredible hour of their lives forever and I’m so glad we were able to be a part of it to make sure they were all safe and well.”

On Thursday afternoon, Leanne and her family were reunited with the SWASFT team who helped with the delivery of her baby boy at North Bristol Operations Centre.

Over the past 12 months ambulance teams have helped approximately 300 babies to be born in emergency births across the South West.