Hero Jon helps as baby born in street (From Worcester News)

Hero Jon helps as baby born in street

11:30am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News By Sarah Davies

A SHOPPING trip turned into a medical drama with a happy ending for an off-duty paramedic from the University of Worcester.

Jon Wood was walking through a busy street when he spotted a heavily pregnant woman crying out in pain.

The 27-year-old, who studied at the university this year to become a fully-qualified paramedic, rushed to her aid and in a matter of minutes he had helped deliver a healthy baby boy on the pavement.

Mr Wood, who has worked for West Midlands Ambulance Service for two-and-a-half-years, said he was grateful that mother and baby were both well, despite the tricky circumstances.

He said: “I walked past her and she seemed in quite a lot of pain. I just asked if she was all right and she handed me her maternity notes.

“She was clutching her stomach and shouting, ‘It’s coming, it’s coming’. As soon as we laid her down, the baby was born within two minutes.

“To be out shopping and all of a sudden have the baby coming so quickly is quite rare. It happened in the middle of the street so bystanders held their coats up to protect her privacy.

“Both mum and baby were well. It was a normal delivery, although it was cold and the exposure makes it pretty risky, but we did the best we could.

“I’ve delivered quite a lot in the past and you could tell it was going to happen there and then. I’m just glad that it all went well and mum and baby were fine.

“My family and friends are quite proud. It was a case of my training and instinct kicking in and it was a good outcome in that environment. This will be a memorable one.”

An ambulance had been called to the woman, but it was 15 minutes away and the closest to the scene was motorcycle paramedic Steve Cooper.

Mr Wood, who now lives in Birmingham but is originally from Edinburgh, had just enough time to make her comfortable and begin his assessment. When the woman moved her hand away, he could see the baby’s head.

The baby, who was delivered near to the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham, and his mother were wrapped in coats before an ambulance took the new family to hospital.

Robert Dudley, head of nursing and paramedic science at the University of Worcester, said: “Jon is a credit to the profession and the university.

“His education and training equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to remain calm and professional in what were difficult circumstances.

“Jon is going to make an outstanding paramedic.”