A mother gave birth to a baby boy early yesterday (Wednesday) in her car outside the maternity unit at the William Julien Courtauld Hospital, in Braintree where campaigners have been pressing for a full round-the-clock service.

Essex Ambulance spokesman Murray Macgregor said a paramedic was on the scene in three minutes after a call at 3.23am, but five minutes later the woman gave birth in the back of her car.

Soon afterwards three community midwives arrived to take the mother and her newly-born healthy son into the hospital.

It is believed the mother and her child were later allowed home.

Published Thursday June 10, 2004

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