Paramedic reunited with Wearside baby she delivered on a living room floor

A Wearside mum has thanked a paramedic who helped bring her baby into the world.
Stacey Hilton with baby Gracie and mum Devon Gaunt.Stacey Hilton with baby Gracie and mum Devon Gaunt.
Stacey Hilton with baby Gracie and mum Devon Gaunt.

Devon Gaunt, 22, needed emergency help when she went into labour at her mum, Lorraine Ross' Washington home.

While paramedic Stacey Hilton travelled to the scene, 999 call operator Zach Jackson talked Lorraine through the delivery.

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By the time Stacey arrived just minutes later, baby Gracie Smith was already making her way into the world. Just over 10 minutes later, she was born on the living room rug, weighing 8lb1oz.

Both Devon and Gracie were taken to hospital to be checked over following the birth last month and were soon back at home with Gracie’s three-year-old brother Lucas.

Devon said: “I had gone through to the hospital as the pains were really strong, but because I was only 3cm dilated, I was sent home.

“By this point it was rush hour and we got stuck in loads of traffic. I got through the door and could feel her head crowning.

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“My mam delivered her head with the help of the call taker and then Stacey came through the door. She chucked her stuff on the floor and got straight on her knees.

“Stacey was great, I can’t thank her enough.”

Lorraine said: "It was terrifying, but when the baby started coming out this calm just took over. All I could think was that’s my baby having her baby and I need to keep them safe.

“I had the head and was thinking please somebody come through the door. Just as her shoulder was coming out, Stacey came through the door and took over. It was such a relief to see her and to know we were in safe hands.

“Stacey was amazing. She’s like a hero in this house."

Stacey, 34, of Gateshead, qualified as a paramedic in April 2015 and baby Gracie was her first delivery.

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She said: "A delivery is something that even the most experienced paramedics worry about getting because so many things can go wrong so to do my first one on my own was terrifying.

"We go to so many people who are in labour, but find it’s normally just a bit of pain so I couldn’t believe it when I walked through the door and there’s poor Devon on her back and the baby’s coming.

“I dropped everything and started dishing out jobs to the family. They did a fantastic job – I thought her mam was a midwife when I got there.

“It was quite an emotional experience. I think because I’ve got two kids of my own that feeling came back again for me. It was honour to be part of it and makes you really proud of the job you do.”