Paramedic Barrie Slade has delivered plenty of babies during his 14-year career, but admits the latest arrival caused him a few heart-stopping moments – as it was his own daughter.

Although he and wife Sheryl had planned a home-birth for their second child, there was no time for the midwife to get to their Malmesbury home once the waters had broken and the birth started.

“I thought about taking Sheryl into hospital in my response car, but she said she needed to start pushing straight away and I obviously wouldn’t have been able to look after her while driving,” said Mr Slade, a Great Western Ambulance Service Paramedic operating out of Devizes and Chippenham.

“So we had no choice but to do it ourselves at home – although I did dial 999 for back-up and in case Sheryl needed to go to hospital.

“I had delivered 14 babies prior to this but I did find I was a bit apprehensive this time because it was my own wife and child – but being a staff responder I my equipment at home, the training kicked in and I just got on with the job.”

Jasmine Ava came into the world at 12.10pm weighing 8lb 7oz – the cord was wrapped around her neck twice and her airway was blocked which meant she was blue to start with but Mr Slade used the equipment he had available, unwrapped it and gave her some gentle stimulation, she soon turned a healthy pink and began to cry.

The GWAS ambulance crew arrived a short while after the birth, along with the local GP, and checked that mum and baby were fine.

“Once Jasmine arrived safely, there was a real feeling of relief and delight – and, of course, she’s absolutely gorgeous,” he added.