Heart-warming moment London Ambulance Service call handler helps deliver baby on latest episode of BBC Ambulance

The nerve-wracking but heart-warming moment a 999 emergency call handler helps to deliver a baby over the phone features in the latest episode of the BBC One documentary Ambulance.

The dramatic phone call was captured by a film crew behind the scenes in London Ambulance Service’s 999 emergency operations centres, for the latest episode of the BAFTA award-winning series.

Rose Carbon, 29, is a 999 call handler at the UK’s busiest ambulance service. She faced the challenge during her first call of a night shift and stayed on the line, offering advice to the caller and the person in labour while an ambulance made its way to their house.  The baby was coming so quickly, the mum-to-be was worried she would not even reach her car.

Rose said: “It’s a magnificent feeling when a mum delivers her baby and the sense of relief we get as call handlers when we hear the baby cry is incredible. It is a very scary and special moment to share with a stranger, and the trust the patient puts in us to guide them through one of the most momentous moments in their life is indescribable. Every call handler remembers their first ‘born before arrival, which is where a baby is delivered before London Ambulance Service paramedics or a midwife arrives. Safely assisting a new parent to bring a life into the world is such a great source of pride!”

Rose, originally from Australia, has been with LAS for two years and has only delivered two babies in that time. However, she, like all her colleagues, has received extensive training to understand complications in pregnancy and how to manage that in an emergency.

She is also trained in what to do immediately after the baby is born and how to best support mum and baby until the ambulance crew take over on scene.

Rose added: “Working with BBC Ambulance has been such a unique opportunity to be able to show the public the ‘behind the scenes’ workings of LAS – from the moment a 999 call is connected, to treating patients on scene, and the logistics of working for the ambulance service.

“It’s so wonderful to demonstrate the compassion, empathy, and teamwork of everyone who is looking after London. I’m very proud of what I do and to share that on national television is very special.”

More than 100,000 babies are born in the capital each year – with London Ambulance Service called to around 800 of those where active delivery is taking place.

London Ambulance Service Lead Midwife Camella Main said: “Having to call 999 when you are in labour can be really scary. But all of our staff and volunteers are trained and here to help. We are there when you need us.

“Our 999 call handlers are trained to answer a whole range of maternity-related calls. And that training includes how to remain calm, professional and compassionate in the face of these difficult moments to help ensure these parents know what to do while they wait for paramedics to arrive.”

Elsewhere in the episode, Shyr-Nai and James respond to an eight-year-old boy in sickle cell crisis, advanced paramedic Mike helps an elderly man who has fallen down the stairs, meanwhile Deptford ambulance crew Manny and Naimah kindly but firmly explain about wasting resources to two people who call for an ambulance when they fail to get picked up by several taxis due to their level of intoxication.