Applause and cheers as baby born in toilets at Harold Wood Polyclinic
The baby being carried by a member of polyclinic staff. - Credit: Archant
GPs at the Harold Wood Polyclinic had an extra patient to attend to this afternoon when a baby was born in the toilet.
People in the waiting room were left stunned when a woman gave birth in the ladies’ loo shortly after 1pm.
Doctors and nurses helped deliver the surprise arrival before announcing that both mum and baby – a boy – were safe and well.
Jake Portsmouth was waiting for an appointment with his GP as the drama unfolded.
He said: “I was sitting there waiting to be seen when all of a sudden, the staff started running around.
“I was worried about what was going on because I couldn’t really tell what was happening in the toilet.
“But then one of the main guys came out and announced a baby boy had been born.”
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Members of the public were asked wait outside the centre while the new mum and child were seen to and moved out of the building.
Jake said: “We all gave them a round of applause and a cheer – it was a really touching moment.
“It was so weird that it was happening in the room next to me and I didn’t hear a thing.
“I think it was a shock to everyone. It must have been one of the most surreal things that has ever happened to me.”
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said paramedics were called to the polyclinic, in St Clements Avenue, at around 1.10pm to reports of a woman giving birth.
She added: “We sent two single responders in cars and an ambulance crew to the scene.
“Our staff took a woman reported to be in her 20s to Queen’s Hospital.”
