Helicopter team swoops in during home birth drama

Abigail Bray (holding baby) and family with the air ambulance crew, including Dr Nick Tilbury (second from left) and paramedic Rob Fillmer (second from right)

A woman has praised an air ambulance crew who swooped in to help when her baby was unexpectedly delivered at home.

Abigail Bray, 35, from Lincoln, woke up in labour and gave birth to her second child in the bathroom.

She was losing a significant amount of blood and was unable to deliver the placenta, so the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) was called to offer emergency treatment.

Ms Bray was taken to hospital but, thanks to the rapid intervention, was discharged the same day. She is now embarking on a challenging walk of more than 30 miles to raise money for the LNAA.

"I had been booked in for an induction, so I was completely taken by surprise," Ms Bray recalled of the night of the birth. "My contractions were full-on from the start."

Before long her waters broke and, with baby on the way, her partner called 999.

Dr Nick Tilbury with the new arrival

Paramedics arrived and her son was born safe and well, but the air ambulance was deployed as concerns grew for Ms Bray.

It arrived within 13 minutes carrying Dr Nick Tilbury and paramedic Alex Walker.

"Unexpected births in the community can be full of surprises and I'm glad that Nick and I were there to care for and support Abi," said Mr Walker.

"Extensive bleeding immediately after birth is frightening and can be potentially life threatening."

They gave Ms Bray medication to reduce the bleeding and ensure she was in a safe condition to be taken to hospital in a road ambulance.

'So thankful'

Ms Bray, who also has a four-year-old daughter, said Alex had reassured her by saying her son "was doing brilliantly in daddy's care", while "Dr Nick, without doubt, placed the neatest and least painful cannula I've ever had".

"I'm just so thankful for the crew's expertise, reassurance and support. I'll never forget what they did for me," she added.

The LNAA is able to perform an array of pre-hospital obstetric and neonatal interventions around the clock, including emergency blood transfusions and helping to deliver babies.

Ms Bray is now preparing to thank the crew by walking the 32 miles (51.4km) of the Ullswater Way, a demanding circular route in the Lake District, which is expected to take up to 14 hours to complete.

She will raise money to support the charity's work, with further information on the LNAA website.

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