IT was all systems go for one expectant mother when she suddenly went into labour — in a layby just outside Okehampton.

Nikki Rattenbury, from Copplestone, was due to give birth at Okehampton Hospital on Tuesday, March 24.

After arriving and suffering some minor complications, she was picked up by Launceston's St John Ambulance service, with the intention of going to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Nikki said: 'I was booked to give birth at Okehampton Hospital but when I got there were some problems.

'Basically, the baby got stuck and didn't want to come out so they told me I would have to go Exeter.'

Nikki set off in the ambulance accompanied by a midwife.

'It all happened so quickly. I remember suddenly feeling this intense pain which lasted for about five minutes, then it just disappeared.

'I said to the midwife who was with me that the pain had gone and she looked under the blanket and there was Jasmine Elizabeth.

'It was then that we pulled up on to the layby on the A30 and the midwife made sure everything was okay, then we turned around and headed back to Okehampton.'

Nikki spent the next 19 hours in Okehampton Hospital before finally being transferred to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital after Jasmine Elizabeth, who weighed in at 7lbs 9 ozs, was diagnosed with jaundice.

'She had a little bit of jaundice so they thought it best to take her to Exeter where she spent three to four days under ultra violet light.

'Everything is fine now and she is a very happy, healthy little girl.

'I would like to thank all the midwives and staff at Okehampton Hospital and also the ambulance crew.

'The care they all provide is absolutely wonderful, especially the after-care, which is just fantastic.

'Okehampton Hospital would have been a lovely place to give birth, the support they gave me was really good and I can't thank them all enough.'