A FATHER has praised two paramedics who sprang into action when his wife gave birth in the back seat of his car - in the car park of Rayleigh ambulance station.

When her waters initially broke on Wednesday, Jemma East, 29, went to Southend Hospital, was checked over and, as her labour was not progressing, sent home to rest.

After a night at home, in Cedar Road, Thundersley, Jemma woke up at about 7.30am and started having contractions.

But, although she had had a slow start to her labour, she said: “I started having contractions but didn’t really think much of them at the time. But everything suddenly went from nothing to something very very quickly!”

Her husband Jerry, 32, added: “Jemma woke up, had a cup of tea and put her makeup on and said she would start getting ready to go to the hospital. Her contractions were about 20 seconds long with about 15 minutes in between so we weren’t too worried.

“But they started getting closer and, within five minutes they had gone to a minute long every two minutes.”

The couple started driving to the hospital but Mrs East soon realised they were not going to make it.

Luckily, Mr East, who has a sister who is a paramedic, remembered where the Rayleigh ambulance station was and decided to head for it.

He said: “This chap was outside in the car park getting ready to start his shift. I shouted “My wife is having our baby in the back of the car” and he came straight over. He was so on the ball whereas I was a complete mess.

"Three pushes later and baby Rosie was out, it was that quick. He was great and helped me cut the cord and there was another paramedic who helped and got them all in the ambulance to be checked at the hospital.”

The family, who also have another daughter, Madeline, aged three, said the men were “our heroes”.

Jemma added: “They were amazing, I’m just so grateful they were there to help.”

An East of England Ambulance spokesperson said: “We are delighted to hear that both Jemma and Rose are doing so well after her sooner-than-planned welcome into the world.

"Credit must go not only to our medics on hand who were called into action minutes before their shift, but also to Jerry for using his initiative and getting help when he did; congratulations to all involved.”