WHILE the snow fell across the Post area just over a fortnight ago, many were able to stay safe and warm inside their homes, while others battled the conditions on the roads — but what happens when your partner starts going into labour?

That is what happened to Ross Morris from Camelford, whose partner Emma Wooldridge’s waters unexpectedly broke during the heavy snowfall early in the morning of Friday, February 1.

Ross, who had to abandon his car in Wadebridge after spending a day of work at Irons Brothers Ltd, managed to get home to Camelford safe after a kind-hearted woman offered to drive him back. However, he was astonished when his partner Emma’s waters broke in the middle of the night — the timing of the incident, with the snow lying thick on the roads and pavements outside, was far from ideal.

Ross said: “It was a rough day of snow. I had to abandon my car in Wadebridge and got a lift home from a lovely lady called Susan.

“At 2am Emma’s waters broke and we immediately rang the midwives at Treliske delivery suite. They advised me to call an ambulance, which we did.”

It took the ambulance an hour and a half to get to Ross and Emma at home. “Then we got stuck in Mount Camel car park for half an hour!” Ross continued. “It took two hours roughly to get to Truro by an expert ambulance driver. Once we arrived in Truro, the midwives were fantastic!”

Unfortunately, Emma’s labour came unexpectedly, and their baby girl, which they named Ava, was born a month prematurely. Ross said: “Ava was very poorly as she was a month premature. She had tests for sepsis and strep B, and also a loud heart murmur. Her jaundice was also high but after six days and passing with flying colours, Ava and mum were discharged.

“The team at the Treliske delivery suite and post natal ward were fantastic. The ward sister Sarah Coe was fantastic and our midwives taking care of us, Phoebe and Laura, were amazing. Treliske is just 100% amazing.”

Now Ross, Emma and baby Ava Harper Morris are back in Camelford, safe and ready to start the next chapter of their life. As well as grateful thanks to the emergency teams, including the ambulance service and midwifery team at Treliske, Ross has extended thanks to his employers, Irons Brothers Ltd of Wadebridge for their support and allowing him to be at home with his young family.