Burnley dad helps wife give birth to baby on bathroom floor

Jo-Ann Marshall (36) said her waters broke at 6-30 a.m. on Sunday, nine days before her due date. She was not in any pain and decided to have a bath to help her relax.

She called her husband Simon to help her get out, but as she lifted her leg out of the bath he spotted the baby’s head and within seconds, without warning, he was there to catch little Bethany who was born at 8-13 a.m.

Jo-Ann said: “I turned round and the baby was in his hands. I wasn’t prepared. I hadn’t had any pain so I didn’t know if I was in labour or not.”

Simon, who luckily had just finished a night shift at Cott Beverages in Nelson, called an ambulance and waited until paramedics arrived before he cut the umbilical cord.

Mum and baby, who was born weighing 8lb. 1oz., were taken to Burnley General Hospital and kept in overnight as a precaution. They are now home, in Dall Street, Burnley Wood, with Simon, their son Owen (5) and 22-month-old daughter Rosie.

Jo-Ann said: “I was in labour for 21 hours with Owen and for just over an hour with Rosie but that time I just made it to hospital.”

Rosie and Owen were taken to stay with Jo-Anne’s sister Jackie Crawford, who coincidentally gave birth to her third child three days later.

“It was done, she was on the floor. Simon was so calm, he just did what needed to be done,” added Jo-Ann,

Simon (33), who is originally from Wigan, said: “I just keep looking at Bethany thinking how did that happen. “I told Jo-Ann she was not going to have the baby in the bathroom but, in the end, she did. I think we’re still in shock.”

Bethany has proved to be a popular addition with her brother and sister.

“They’ve been absolutely brilliant with her. Owen won’t let anybody else hold her when he’s at home,” said Jo-Ann.

The couple also expressed their thanks to the paramedics who came to the house.