A couple are celebrating after baby daughter Sophie was born unexpectedly on the sofa at home.

Lee and Tracey Pithers were all set to go to Southend Hospital on Tuesday so the birth could be induced.

However, Sophie had other ideas and decided to come into the world at 4.17am on Monday instead.

It was left to Lee, 31, to deliver his daughter on the sofa while rookie ambulance control assistant Emma Lomas gave advice over the telephone from ambulance headquarters in Chelmsford.

The whole birth took just ten minutes and Tracey, 28, was cradling 6lb 12oz Sophie in her arms when ambulance crews arrived minutes later.

Today the couple praised Emma, who ironically celebrated her own 20th birthday on Tuesday, for her calm and collected advice over the telephone.

Lee, who suffers from epilepsy, said he was afraid he might have a fit while Tracey was giving birth.

Fortunately he didn't and said it was Emma who helped him to stay calm.

He said: "She was brilliant. She stayed on the telephone to tell us what to do. She was really calm and she was really helpful."

Tracey said: "I was panicking because I just didn't expect it but to be honest I can't remember that much about the experience because it happened so quickly... and it was painful."

After a hospital check-up Sophie and Tracey are both doing fine.

Emma, who only started her job at ambulance headquarters two months ago, revealed it was the first time she had dealt with a birth. Operators are trained to keep calm and refer to advice on their computer screens for emergencies.

She said: "I'm just glad they're doing fine, It's our job to stay calm on the telephone.

"Lee was great. He was getting towels and was doing everything he needed to. I'm happy everything was OK."

The couple already have three young daughters - all born in hospital. Tracey said: "They were away at the time so they don't know what happened yet. But we will tell them."

Lee said: "Of course we're really happy but I don't think I'd want to go through that experience again."

Happy - sofa tot Sophie grabs some sleep after Lee and Tracey suffered their ordeal

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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