JESSIE’S LANDMARK MOMENT
Little Jessie Jenna Drysdale certainly knows how to make a monumental entrance.
The bundle of joy was born during a dramatic dash to hospital in mum Samantha’s car.
She was delivered by Samantha’s sister Jenna as the family, of South Street, New bottle, passed Pen shaw Monument.
Jessie’s dad Stuart, 48, was driving the car at the time, and pulled over near the famous landmark when it became clear the baby was not going to wait.
Proud Samantha, 29, said: “It was absolutely amazing to give birth like that, and for my sister to be able to deliver the baby.
“I could never have imagined giving birth in those circumstances, and I was just in shock afterwards.
“I was three days over my due date, but was expecting to be in labour for a long time.
“I was in labour for 59 hours when I had my first child, but this was just five hours.
“Clearly, she didn’t want to wait!”
Jessie was born at 7.56am on Monday, weighing 6lb 10oz.
Also in the car at the time was her big brother Ollie Adam Drysdale, aged 17 months.
It was Jenna who ultimately came to the rescue when the family realised they would not make it to Sunderland Royal Hospital before the birth.
Jenna, 32, said: “It was amazing, and happened so fast.
“We were on the way to hospital as Samantha had gone into labour.
“She said ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it’ and then realised the head was there.
“We stopped the car next to Penshaw Monument and she started to push.
“I caught the baby in Ollie’s blanket.
“I didn’t even go into shock. I just kept calm and managed to deliver the baby.
“It wasn’t until when the ambulance came that I started to shake.”
The birth was made all the more special for the family as it took place next to Penshaw Monument, which holds so many happy memories for them.
Jenna added: “It’s a very special place for our family. It means a lot to us.
“My auntie, Beverley Scouler, died of cancer when she was 49, eight years ago.
“We scattered her ashes there as we have lots of happy family memories there.”
“We stopped the car next to Penshaw Monument” JENNA DRYSDALE