Tesco Express delivery as mum gives birth on forecourt

THERE was an extra special delivery outside Tesco Express in Battle in early hours of Wednesday morning.

Former employee Jessica Child was more used to receiving deliveries when she worked at the store, but this week made a delivery of her own when she gave birth to daughter Indigo Grace, at 1.10am on the garage forecourt outside the store on Battle Hill.

Jessica, 27, was in labour and on her way to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings from her mother’s home in Mountfield, when Indigo, who was eight days late, decided it was time to put in an appearance.

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Her mother Jillian Child, who was travelling to the hospital with Jessica and her brother Tim, 21, said: “We were on our way to the hospital and she said ‘mum I’m having the baby now’.

“We pulled in, her waters went and she started pushing.

“Within five minutes the ambulance was there and they got her into the ambulance, two pushes and the baby was born.”

She added: “They were laughing so much in the hospital, calling her the Tesco delivery.

“She really caught us on the hop.”

Indigo, who weighed 6lb 4ozs, is Jessica’s second child.

Her first child Zachariah, who is now three, had a number of health problems and almost died when he was being born.

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Jillian, who raised 10 children herself, said: “He was very small, the placenta was not right and he was not able to feed through the placenta.

“He was all skin and bone.”

She added: “Indigo is fine. There is not a blemish or a mark, she is absolutely perfect.”

Jessica lives in Heathfield Gardens, Robertsbridge, but is living with her mother in Mountfield for the time being.

Jessica is currently studying at Bexhill College and is training to be a counsellor.

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She thanked ambulance technician Phil Burfield for delivering her bundle of joy.

Jessica said: “I thank God for the wonderful ambulance man.

“It was not part of my birth plan, to give birth on Tesco forecourt!”

South East Coast Ambulance Service Technicians Phil Burfield and Maddy Kent, based at Heathfield Ambulance Station, were called to the scene.

Phil said: “Maddy and I are both really pleased to hear that mum and baby are doing well.

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“It all happened fairly quickly and we were able to check that they were both OK before taking them to Conquest Hospital.

“I’ve been working in the ambulance service for 22 years and although I’ve assisted at deliveries before, this was the first one I’ve been so involved with.

“We wish them all the best for the future.”

Staff at Tesco Express have sent Jessica flowers to congratulate her on the birth of Indigo.

Indigo is a welcome addition to the Child family, which has been touched by tragedy in the past.

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In 1997 Jillian’s daughter Heidi almost died after her abusive former partner set fire to her.

Heidi, who married Jeremy Glossop in 2009 after a whirlwind courtship, is said to be thrilled about becoming an auntie again.