A group of Metropolitan police officers have described delivering a baby as the ‘highlight of their careers’.
It was just another day at work for PC Mia Kerr and PC Tom Palmer when Marco De Carli ‘frantically’ waved them down to ask for help on August 20.
They found his partner Martina Janes, 36, on the cusp of giving birth on a street in Southwark at 5.45pm.
After two other cops rushed over to provide back-up, they were hit with the realisation that there was no time to get the second time mum to hospital.
The four immediately sprung into action to gather make-shift items to help with the delivery and held up blankets to protect Martina’s privacy.
PC Kirsty Roberts delivered the baby with guidance from the London Ambulance Service (LAS) on the phone.
The birth wasn’t smooth-sailing, with the officer having to unwrap the umbilical cord which had become tangled around the baby’s neck.
The family – along with newborn Davide – was reunited with the officers this week following the ‘unbelievable experience’.
PC Roberts said: ‘We’re used to dealing with emergencies and the unexpected, but this did take us a little by surprise.
‘It’s been so lovely to see how the family have been getting on. It was a privilege to deliver their baby and it’s something I will never forget.’
New mother Martina has described the birth as ‘at the same time the scariest and most wonderful experience we ever had’.
She added: ’The right lovely people happened to be there and we feel incredibly lucky. Their kindness made us so comfortable that I couldn’t feel any fear and we honestly have no words to thank them enough. Our family will remember them for the rest of our life.’
PC Kerr, from the Emergency Response Team in Southwark, said: ‘This was an overwhelming and incredible experience, being able to help such a beautiful family in their time of need.’
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