MUM Julie Davies was talked through the unexpected birth of her third son by phone at home when he arrived a month early.Julie, 31, was guided through the birth by ambulance service emergency co-ordinator Dan Gore when she gave birth to baby Rowan on the bedroom floor of her Witham home.

MUM Julie Davies was talked through the unexpected birth of her third son by phone at home when he arrived a month early.

Julie, 31, was guided through the birth by ambulance service emergency co-ordinator Dan Gore when she gave birth to baby Rowan on the bedroom floor of her Witham home.

She called an ambulance, but Rowan would not wait. Julie had to do it herself while Dan, 30, told her how to handle Rowan's sudden appearance.

Her other children, Llewelyn, 3, and Carrwyn, 22 months , slept through it all.

"I wasn't frightened," said Julie, from Abercorn Way.

"In fact, I found myself more concerned with trying to be quiet so I wouldn't wake my other children. It would have been too much if they had started crying as well.

"I did feel rather alone and I was very glad to have a friendly and reassuring voice on the phone. He was very good.

"He told me how to clear Rowan's airways and to leave the umbilical cord until the paramedics arrived.

"Rowan started crying as soon as I cleared his mouth with my finger so I knew he was all right. I wrapped him in a tee shirt and waited for mum."

After her mother Ann Cockell, came two paramedics and a midwife.

"From being alone, the bedroom was suddenly crowded," said Julie.

The birth went to so well she did not even need to go to hospital. Rowan is now a thriving 7lbs 4ozs.

Mr Gore said afterwards: "The lady was very calm and brave, although she must have been pretty shaken and in pain. Childbirth is pretty traumatic, particularly on your own. She kept saying she did not want to upset her other children in the next-door bedrooms.

"She stayed cool although she was on the floor alone when she would have expected to be in hospital surrounded by people in gowns and masks caring for her every whim."

Rowan arrived at 1.30am. Her mum, Ann Cockell, rushed over from Hatfield Peverel but by the time she arrived half an hour later Rowan had arrived safe and well.

Mrs Cockell said: "The house was in darkness when I got there. I thought Julie had gone back to sleep.

"Then I heard a baby's cry and rushed upstairs. There was Julie sitting on the floor with Rowan on her tummy."

Dad Rhuddian, 31, who sells marine diesel engines, was told the good news by his mother-in-law at 2.05am. He drove 250 miles home in a state of excitement.

"The boys are thrilled to have a baby brother," he said.