“She just popped out like a champagne cork!”
That’s how UK mom Jessica Stubbins describes the jaw-dropping 60-second birth of her newborn daughter Lucy.
The 24-year-old says she started having contractions in the morning on July 31, so asked her husband Tom to drive her to the nearby hospital. When she arrived, though, she was told that she was only four centimeters dilated. “I didn’t feel that my contractions were getting stronger so I decided to go home,” she explained during a recent appearance on Good Morning Britain.
As it turns out, Jessica’s labor progressed much more quickly than expected, and it wasn’t long before she and Tom were on their way back to the hospital. By the time they got there, she suspected she didn’t have too much time, so told her husband to just drop her off at the entrance while he parked the car.
She made it as far as the doorway, just steps away, when she suddenly felt the need to push. So she did.
“It was just one push and the whole lot of Lucy was out. Gravity just took over. It’s just crazy! I was amazed,” she says, adding that she had to quickly release the umbilical cord, which was wrapped around Lucy’s neck.
By the time Tom returned just a couple of minutes later he was understandably shocked to find his wife holding their brand new baby girl.
The speedy delivery was captured by the hospital’s security camera. Take a look:
“Jess was saying ‘It’s a girl it’s a girl, I’m sorry, I’m sorry’ because I’d missed it all,” Tom recalls. “She felt guilty because I’d missed it and I was just in absolute shock.”
Nurses who arrived to assist shortly after the delivery insist that despite the intense circumstances, Jessica somehow managed to remain calm, cool and collected.
The mom-of-two explains that she really had no choice: “She was just coming. There was no stopping her, there was no time to sit down.”
Kudos to Jessica, because while I’m sure some sort of instinct would kick in along the way, I’m equally sure that I would collapse into a complete mess if I went through what she did.
I think every mom-to-be hopes for a quick delivery, but not quite this quick. I’d like time to settle into a bed and maybe flip through a magazine or two, thanks.
One week later, little Lucy, who was born weighing 6lbs 1oz, is happily at home with mom and dad and big sister Penny-Grace, 19 months.
“I am beaming,” gushes Jessica. “My mum has been calling me an Amazonian and super woman. It is amazing.”
Did you have a quick childbirth?
Check out these unforgettable birth photos from The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers’ 2016 Image of the Year Competition:
First place
"Underwater birth, baby with gorgeous curly hair"
Photo by: Marijke Thoen Geboortefotografie
Best in category: Labor
"The surge"
Photo by: Apple Blossom Families
Best in category: Delivery
"En-Caul Unassisted Twin Water Birth"
Photo by: Birth Blessings Photography & Childbirth Services
Best in category: Postpartum
"Where peace begins"
Photo by: Natalia Walth Photography
Honorable mention
"It calls to her both loudly and softly in song"
Photo by: Love By Krista Evans Photography
Honorable mention
"Maternal Grace"
Photo by: Angela Gallo – Untethered Beginning for The Birthing Woman
Honorable mention
"in between two worlds"
Photo by: alexandra kayy photography
"Worth the fight"
Photo by Kate Murray Photography
"The strength of a woman in its natural birth"
Photo by Senhoritas Fotografia
"Between two worlds"
Photo by desire To Inspire Photography
"Love at first sight"
Photo by Michelle Lynn Photographic Artist
"right where you belong"
Photo by Jerusha Sutton Photography
"It's Rough On The Dads, Too ;-)"
Photo by Little Chickadees Newborn Photography
"Hold me tight"
Photo by InstaBirthStory
"Tears of joy"
Photo by Yamile Branch Photography
"Tiny Miracles...the gift of surrogacy!"
Photo by Laureen Carruthers Photography
"A bright beginning"
Photo by Tracy Armstrong Doula and Photographer
"Opening"
Photo by Alessandra Santana Fotografia
"Little Doula"
Photo by NOVA Birth Services
"Generational Joy Felt Through the Glass"
Photo by Marysol Blomerus Photography | Cape Town Birth Photographer
"The Goddess: she looks within to draw strength"
Photo by Emma Jean Photography
"Labor for love"
Photo by Stephanie Shirley Photography
"Skin to skin & the Sweetest Taste of Baby Toes"
Photo by Ker-Fox Photography
"Meeting baby brother"
Photo by Melissa Cate Photography
"It's a boy!"
Photo by Brooke Collier Photography
"Birth of joy"
Photo by Coletivo Buriti por Gabi Trevisan
"this moment"
Photo by Sommessa: The Art of Birth
"Littlest doula"
Photo by Santa Cruz Birth Photography & Doula Services
"Peace"
Photo by Leilani Rogers, Photographer
"We have a daughter!"
Photo by Caroline Carmack Photography
"Strength"
Photo by Little Earthling Photography
"Sisterhood"
Photo by Adelaide Birth Photographer
"Forever Breathing Your Life, This Loss, My Love"
Photo by Monet Nicole - Birthing
"Holding on..."
Photo by Vuefinder Photography
"Two Men and a Little Baby - Surrogate Birth"
Photo by His & Her Photography
"Power"
Photo by Thistle + Lace Photography
"Strength From Her First Born"
Photo by Jessica Liggett Photography
"This woman's work"
Photo by Doula Services by Dianne
"A calm and loving support"
Photo by Coastal Lifestyles Photography
"Healing birth"
Photo by Jane McCrae Photography
"He calls me beautiful like it's my name"
Photo by Love By Krista Evans Photography
"Halfway across the world"
Photo by Lemon Tree Birth LLC
"Postpartum"
Photo by Bonnie Hussey Photography
"Euphoria"
Photo by Jennifer Martin Photography
"Emotions of a NICU first hold"
Photo by Ashley Derr Photography
"We did it!"
Photo by Chanda Williams, photographer {doula}
"The Embodiment of Post Natal Bliss"
Photo by Angela Gallo - Untethered Beginning for The Birthing Woman
Photo: ThinkStock
