A MUM-to-be was expecting the normal hospital treatment for the birth of her second child, so she was more than surprised when her son arrived in her kitchen.
Andy and Linda Pitt were relaxing at their Pitmaston Road home in St John's, Worcester, on Saturday night, timing Linda's contractions before making the journey to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Linda, aged 31, had a bath to relax, but started feeling uncomfortable.
Andy, 34, said: "We started timing the contractions and suddenly they were then happening every minute."
"We got Linda's bag ready so we could leave for the hospital but on her way from the bathroom to the kitchen she suddenly shouted, 'It's coming now'."
Andy - who is in the middle of decorating the house - said he thought she was over-reacting and told her: "You can't have it here, I haven't tidied up!"
But before they knew it she was on the kitchen floor in agony, surrounded by tins of paint, and Andy had to
call 999." The paramedics arrived in the nick of time at 11pm; ten minutes later baby Tommy was born weighing 7lbs 12oz.
"With my first son I was in labour for 23 hours; this time it was barely 23 minutes," Linda said.
"But I am very grateful to the paramedics who got to me very quickly and did a very professional job."
As well as being a night to remember for Andy and Linda, trainee paramedic Claire Hall won't be forgetting the experience in a hurry either - it was her first delivery.
"It was a very exciting and rewarding experience and one I will certainly remember," she said.
"But I hardly had to do anything, it was Linda who did all the hard work."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article