A MOTHER has thanked quick-thinking paramedics who helped save her son’s life when she gave birth prematurely at home.

Emma Brooks, 38, of Cotford St Luke, was woken in the middle of the night after her waters broke, nine weeks before she had expected to give birth to baby Oscar.

It was the second home birth for Emma and her partner Daniel Viksna, 33, after their 19-month-old daughter Lily-Grace was born on time but had to be delivered by Daniel in the couple’s bath before an ambulance arrived.

On both occasions the couple had hoped to make it to the hospital in time.

Emma, who also has a third 14-year-old child called Beth, said without the speedy work of the emergency services her son would have struggled to survive the difficult birth.

She added: “I had planned to give birth in hospital so I could not believe it was all happening – I was in sheer panic and it was like a bad dream.

“After giving birth twice before I was not expecting to be premature so I was so afraid and I felt a bit detached from it all.”

Daniel called an ambulance as soon as he saw the drama unfolding and when paramedics arrived at their home in Milsom Place, Emma was in the living room with the baby’s arrival imminent.

Oscar, who weighed 4lb 6oz, was delivered in a breech position, feet first, with the umbilical cord around his neck causing problems with his breathing.

The quick-thinking paramedics untangled the cord and resuscitated baby Oscar.

After the birth, Emma spent three days in Musgrove Park Hospital while Oscar was looked after by doctors in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Proud father Daniel said his son has made a remarkable recovery, adding: “It was very scary and when I was following the ambulance to the hospital all sorts of thoughts were going through my head – it was quite a traumatic time.”

The couple hope to bring baby Oscar home in the next couple of weeks and Emma said her son is described as a ‘fiesty little man’.

She added: “I would like to thank the paramedics for everything they did, they saved Oscar’s life.

“They did an amazing job and I dread to think what would have happened if they weren’t there.”