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Husband delivers daily chief reporter’s first child at home

The husband of a regional daily journalist had to deliver their first child after she unexpectedly went into labour at home.

Andrea Collitt, chief reporter at the Colchester Daily Gazette, was helped through the arrival of her son by her husband Tony James after her waters unexpectedly broke five days before her due date.

On the advice of her midwife Andrea had tried to go back to bed, but her contractions then started in the early hours of the morning.

While Tony was on the phone to the midwife, baby Reuben’s head began to pop out and the midwife, who was based half an hour away, urged the pair to dial 999.

Tony and Andrea with baby Reuben

Tony and Andrea with baby Reuben

Tony told the Gazette: “I frantically said to the midwife: ‘The head’s out! The head’s out! Oh my God the head’s out!’

“Andrea seemed fairly calm about it but I was now in the situation where I had no choice but to deliver my own baby. It was very scary and I had the midwife and the 999 operator both trying to give me instructions at once on two different phones.

“Moments later, the rest of the baby pretty much popped out into my arms and I was relieved the baby was crying straight away and was a good colour. We both couldn’t have been more relieved to see flashing blue lights outside our house as the first responder arrived.

Medics then checked over Andrea and Reuben, who weighed in at a healthy 7lbs 4oz.

PE teacher Tony added: “I felt like a celebrity after news of Reuben’s dramatic arrival had done the rounds.

“A few days later a midwife was doing a check up on Reuben and we joked how it was fortunate my sports skills paid off when it came to being on hand to catch my baby. We are grateful for everyone’s kind words.

“Reuben is doing well and already showing signs of being an ‘on the go’ baby – much like his parents. We are grateful to the midwives at One to One and the ambulance service for their professionalism and support.”