Baby born in care home car park

A mother has told of the “crazy scene” as she gave birth in the car park of a Surrey care home.

Jess Hannam and her partner Joe Illsley were helped by staff at Bagshot Gardens Care Home, part of the Avery Healthcare group, after they were unable to reach Frimley Park Hospital in time.

The couple have named the newborn Louie Avery Illsley in honour of the care home's role in his birth.

“My waters broke and the ambulance staff told us to pull over as soon as possible - it was either the care home or a BP garage. We clearly made the right choice,” Ms Hannam said.

The family had been feeding ducks in a local park when Ms Hannam, who was 39 weeks pregnant, began getting contractions.

The couple began their journey to hospital in rush hour traffic on 28 August but were advised to pull over by a 999 operator “with a minute to spare”, Ms Hannam said.

Under the guidance of the operator, Mr Illsley delivered the baby in the front seat of their car with the help of care home staff.

“After he flagged down a member of staff, about 20 people came to help and were amazing,” Ms Hannam said.

“The 999 person was on the phone the whole time and as soon as the baby was born, she stressed how important it was to find anything to dry the baby, including telling Joe to use his t-shirt.”

The care home staff provided towels, blankets, warm water and a privacy screen until paramedics arrived and took the mother and newborn to hospital.

The parents and Louie, who weighed 6lb 7oz, visited the care home on Wednesday to thank staff at a heart-warming reunion.

Ms Hannam added: “It was a pretty crazy scene. It was all the little things they did to make it a much more positive experience, but more importantly, they made sure my little one didn't fall unwell.”

Susan Bedford, a care assistant who was one of the first to assist the couple, said meeting the baby was "very emotional".

“We have residents who are nearly 100 years old, and then there’s baby Louis, who isn’t even 100 days old yet," she said.

“It really makes you realise how precious life is."

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