Mum who gave birth in motorway layby meets ‘amazing’ paramedics
ABRISTOL worker who gave birth in a car on a motorway layby has thanked the paramedic call operator team who helped her and her husband during the delivery.
Leanne Parrett, a paranormal investigator based in Bristol, was on her way to hospital for an induction when she suddenly started experiencing contractions.
Her panicked husband Sam, quickly pulled into a layby on the M5 near junction 14 (Dursley) and was describing the family’s location to a call handler when their second child was born.
The couple wrapped up their bundle of joy, who could be heard screaming, before an ambulance arrived at the scene.
Sam had said to call handler Charlie Passmore: “We’re driving to the hospital and it’s rush hour and my wife is screaming, telling me she needs to push.”
After explaining they were on a motorway layby, Leanne’s and the baby’s screams could be heard in the background and Sam suddenly tells Charlie the baby was out.
Sam suddenly announces: “The baby’s here... I wasn’t expecting that.”
The ambulance service has released audio of the phone call - including the exact moment Sebastian was born at a healthy 8lb 2oz.
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 started to cry.
“The call handler was amazing and stayed on the phone with Sam
the whole time until the ambulance arrived. They made sure Sam knew what to do immediately following the arrival of Sebastian.”
Charlie instructed Sam to clean Sebastian and keep Leanne and the new baby warm until the arrival of a paramedic on a motorbike.
Leanne took a selfie with her new son in the back of the car after the paramedics had made sure both she and the baby were healthy.
Charlie 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 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. This was a brilliant call to be a part of and a wonderful moment I will never forget and I wish them the best of luck.”
Sebastian was born on October 11 and four weeks later the family, including Sebastian’s older sister, Immy, met up with Charlie and the paramedics who helped deliver the baby safely.
Leanne said: “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.”
Emergency care assistant Lloyd Easton, who went to the scene in an ambulance, said: “This was one of the best jobs I have ever been to.”