A NEWBORN baby had an unusual arrival into the world after landing inside a pair of trousers when her mother gave birth in a hospital car park.
Autumn Jarrett weighed 5lb 9oz when she was born on Monday to proud 26-year-old parents Jessica Rowland and Lewis Jarrett outside Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford in-between two parked cars.
Mr Jarrett, who lives in Braintree and is a care worker, said: "We just pulled up in Broomfield car park and she started getting a contraction.
"We were about to get out of the car and when she stood up, another contraction came on, but it felt like she had to go to the toilet.
"She started to panic and really feel like she was going to have the baby."
Mr Jarrett then ran into reception and yelled for help whilst grabbing a wheelchair.
"Literally as I got back, Jessica's waters broke – she was in the car park in-between two cars," he said.
"She started screaming quite loudly and a woman ran over because Jess was screaming that the baby had come out in her trousers. From what I could see, the woman held the baby in the trousers, making sure it was safe and supporting it. She was the real hero on that one.
"Afterwards, they rushed out with the bed and they put the baby on top of Jessica with the cord attached and we got her up and they took it from there.
"It was absolutely perfect, but strange. I'm still in shock at the minute."
Speaking about the help which they received, Mr Jarrett said: "Broomfield Hospital was absolutely fantastic – each and every individual performed a miracle and we can't put into words how much gratitude we have."
The couple were so indebted to the woman who initially helped that they named the baby's middle name after her: Jacqueline.
The woman was 31-year-old Jackie Draper, who lives in Great Baddow and works as a carer for the elderly.
She said: "I was walking back to the car with my partner and it didn't register to us until we heard the blood-curdling scream.
"I've had three children myself so I know that scream – my instinct was to grab between her legs to help the baby.
"At that moment the head started to come out – Jessica started saying 'She's out,' and I saw the baby coming down her leg.
"It was complete maternal instinct and really magical. I've never been at the other end of it."
Despite the unusual circumstances, Miss Draper felt that going over to help was the natural thing to do.
"I love to help regardless of whether or not it puts me out of my way," she said.
"It's how I was brought up and it came up trumps yesterday.
"I'm just so glad that mum and baby are safe and that everyone's alright."
Another helping hand beside Miss Draper was 55-year-old Ron Brummitt, who works in the reception area.
He helped comfort Jessica throughout the birth.
"I ran at about 1,000 miles-an-hour. I could hear terrible screams of panic.
"Because the baby wasn't actually out, I was rubbing the woman's back, comforting her and keeping her calm.
"When she screamed 'The baby's coming!', we assisted with undressing her so we could get to the baby.
"It bought a tear to my eye – you're on cloud nine to think you've been there to help someone to fetch another life into the world," he said.
Karen Taberham-Huggins, outpatients services manager at Broomfield Hospital, said: "I was really proud of him. He's taken his job one step further."
It is believed that this was the first car park birth at the hospital.
