When 29-year-old Nichola McCarthy went into labour on Friday January 2nd, she quickly realised she wouldn't have to wait long before meeting her second child.
Rushing immediately to hospital with husband Jim, Nichola felt her waters break before she had even gotten out of the car.
Recalling the panicked situation, Nichola said: "I was sitting in the car, it felt like the longest time and I was trying to hold her head in."
Upon entering the hospital, things took a turn for the even more dramatic when Nichola realised she was about to give birth in the corridor of Southend Hospital. Luckily for the brave mum, a quick-thinking healthcare assistant, Marta Szcepaniak, appeared and caught the eager newborn in her coat.
Hugely grateful for Marta's help, Nichola said: "She just seemed to appear. She had heard me screaming and came off her break to help. The baby just shot out, but Marta was a hero."
Marta is equally grateful, saying: "It's the first time I've ever delivered a baby and feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to help, the baby was then here and crying and I just made sure I kept her warm."
Nichola and Jim were overjoyed to give their three-year-old daughter Lexi a happy, healthy baby sister and the relieved mum-of-two has called quick-thinking Marta her 'guardian angel'.
