A Wheatley mum who was just 26 weeks pregnant when she had to have her baby delivered on the side of the road outside the football ground of Reading FC has paid tribute to quick thinking paramedics.
Emily Thomlinson’s daughter Sophie was born 14 weeks prematurely weighing in at just 1lb and 15oz, and spent several months in the High Dependency Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
But the tot is now back home with mum Emily, 29, and dad Peter Hazzard, 27, and the couple have praised quick-thinking South Central Ambulance Service paramedic Rob Dalziel.
"I was in a lot of pain and quite stressed not knowing what was going to happen,” said Emily. “Rob was very good at calming me down and at reassuring me as much as possible. Giving birth 14 weeks premature is not ideal, especially on the side of the road."
Emily's waters broke while she was on route to the Royal Berkshire Hospital during the morning rush hour on February 1, and the ambulance pulled over outside the Madjeski Stadium. Paramedic Rob, with help from emergency care assistant Chris Carey, delivered baby Sophie and 'bagged' her to keep her moist, wrapping her in blankets to keep her warm and administrating respiratory resuscitation.
Baby Sophie spent two weeks in the hospital’s ITU ‘Hot Room’ before being transferred to the JR Hospital. She was reunited with her parents just three weeks ago, despite still needing oxygen to help her lungs develop and to recover from the scarring associated with premature birth.
A delighted Emily admitted: "This is the last thing I expected when I got pregnant. I’ve massive respect for the ambulance crew and the NHS. They were really incredible."
Paramedic Rob, who has worked for the ambulance service for nine years, said: "Baby Sophie is the 11th baby whose delivery I have assisted at. She’s by far the smallest and quickest birth I’ve helped with. I’m delighted that she’s now back home with her parents."
