THE frantic minutes leading up to 5.30am on Saturday October 17 will long live in the memory of Jenna Parker and her family.

It was then that baby Ezra Jai McLean was delivered by his nanna Jeanette Rowland on the floor of Ms Parker's lounge, between the fireplace and sofa.

Ms Parker, 27, of Friars Lane, Barrow, was due to give birth that day, and started getting niggling labour pain in the early hours, ringing her mother to come round to sit with her at 3am.

When Ms Parker, a learning disability nurse, gave birth to her now five-year-old son Hanley it was a long labour - and all signs suggested this would be too - but it turned out to be anything but.

Instead, the speed of the birth took everyone by surprise.


NEW ADDITION Baby Ezra Jai McLean with brother Hanley Jai Parker "I never thought this would happen. It felt about the same as the last time," said Ms Parker.

"All I kept thinking about is what they said in Parent Craft. I could remember exactly what the woman said.

"At the antenatal class they said it wouldn't happen but if it does shut every window and door and get the baby on the chest of the mum as she is the hottest. That's exactly what we did."

It was left to Mrs Rowland to be midwife and deliver her own grandson.

Recalling the birth, the 51-year-old care assistant said: "Jenna said to me: 'I think I'm starting'. I said: 'You're not, you're fine. The ambulance is coming'.

"We rang at 5.27am and opened the door because the ambulance told us to open the door. As we did it everything happened and his head came out.

"His face was facing us. I knew the baby was OK as he twitched his nose."

Little Ezra weighed 7lb11.5 and was taken to Furness General Hospital where nurses spotted he had a chest infection. He was in hospital for five days but is now settling in at home.

Ms Parker said: "They were amazing. They picked up on it. His breathing increased so they go the pediatrician. They were just on top of everything.

"He's our amazing little prince."

The whole experience left new dad John McLean, 26, stunned - but with a fascinating tale to tell his son when he's older.

He said: "It happened that quick. It was a bit of a shock afterwards.

"Everyone says it's like something out of a film script."