Haverhill: Mum gets a shock as early Christmas arrival is nearly born at school awards ceremony

Billieann and Stan are pictured with newborn Evie Mae and L-R: Jade (16), Roseanna (7) and Cerys (14) at home in Stoke by Clare. (Image: Archant)

But it won’t be the moment her eldest daughter, Jade, picked up a prize that will live long in the memory.

It is much more likely that last Tuesday’s event will be remembered as the time she almost gave birth to her fourth child, Evie-Mae, during the ceremony.

Mrs Monk, who lives in Stoke-by-Clare, said she felt several small contractions shortly after proceedings got under way – but as she attempted to leave the room her waters broke.

Supported by several members of the school staff, she was helped from the room but it was only when she went to the toilet that she realised there was a potential complication.

Taking medical instructions over the phone, the staff members laid Mrs Monk on the floor in an office room and cared for her until an ambulance arrived.

Mrs Monk was rushed to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, where around 20 minutes later 6lb 6oz Evie-Mae arrived, fit and healthy.

“To say it was quite a dramatic night, would be an understatement,” said Mrs Monk, now mother of four daughters: Jade, 16; Cerys, 14; Roseanna, seven; as well as little Evie-Mae, who was actually due to arrive on Monday.

“But the staff were wonderful and really helped me out.

“I was petrified and apparently the ambulance had its blue light going all the way to the hospital but by that time I was too distracted to notice.”

Husband Stan arrived at the school after being phoned and followed the ambulance in his car to the hospital, where Mrs Monk and Evie-Mae were kept overnight for observation.

Now safely back at their home in Church Park, the family are looking forward to a relaxed Christmas after all the excitement.

Mrs Monk added: “Evie-Mae is the best present we could have hoped for and all her sisters are besotted with her.”