Sophie's 999 baby drama

The Countess of Wessex survived a major medical emergency to give birth to her daughter.

Staff called 999 after Sophie complained of agonising stomach pains as she sat at home on Saturday evening.

An ambulance arrived within three minutes and she was carried out on a stretcher, with a paramedic at her side.

With an emergency plan in operation, the Countess was taken to an NHS hospital under armed guard and her daughter was delivered by Caesarean section.

The 4lb 9oz baby, one month premature, was immediately transferred to a specialist baby unit in London, while Sophie was expected to remain at Frimley Park Hospital, in Surrey, for around five days.

The as-yet-unnamed girl is the first royal baby to be born in an NHS hospital.

After spending an hour at his wife's bedside last night, Prince Edward left to see his daughter, saying he was 'thrilled to bits' at the birth of his first child.

The Prince was on an official engagement in Mauritius as the drama unfolded. He left on a flight to Paris as soon as possible and was then flown back to Britain by the RAF.

'I am rather shocked and delighted at the news, obviously very sorry that I was not able to be part of it,' added Edward. 'I have seen Sophie, she is doing well - she has also had a bit of a fraught time of it.'

Two years ago Sophie had to be airlifted to hospital after suffering a potentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, where the baby develops outside the womb. The Countess, who was 11.32pm.

six weeks pregnant at the time, had collapsed in agony at the couple's home.

Then, royal gynaecologist Marcus Setchell performed an emergency operation lasting nearly three hours at the King Edward VII Hospital for Officers in Central London. Sophie suffered massive blood loss and spent four days in hospital.

After the latest medical drama, a spokesman for the couple insisted that the transfer of the baby to the neo-natal unit at St George's in Tooting, South London - set up to deal with 'particularly ill' babies - was just a precaution.

Medical experts described the baby as 'slightly smaller than average'. She is classed as 'low birthweight' and a 'moderately premature' baby but is expected to do well.

However, experts say that the separation of mother and newborn can be a traumatic experience, especially after emergency surgery.

Sophie began experiencing abdomen pains at around 6pm on Saturday. By 8pm, staff at Bagshot Park were so concerned that they called a doctor.

He decided she required immediate hospital treatment and the major emergency plan was launched. Fortunately, an ambulance was driving through Bagshot village when the call came and was able to be diverted quickly.

When Sophie arrived at Frimley Park Hospital, she was taken by stretcher into the accident and emergency unit and wheeled to the lift which takes patients up to the maternity unit on the hospital's first floor.

A source at the hospital said: 'The ambulance's blue lights were flashing and there were police officers all over the place.

'The midwives, doctors and staff in the central delivery unit had been put on emergency stand-by and were waiting for the Countess as she arrived.

'Almost immediately it was realised that a

Caesarean operation was essential and the Countess was taken into an emergency side suite in the delivery unit.

Royal gynaecologist Marcus Setchell was present for the operation, which was carried out by surgeon Sukhpal Singh with gynaecologist Anne Deans and midwife Adrienne Price. The baby was born at

'The surgeon who delivered the baby requested that she should be taken to St George's Hospital in London for special care,' said the source.

'A private ambulance was arranged and a medical team travelled with her.

'The Countess had obviously been given lots of pain relief and remained at Frimley Park to recover from the operation.

'She was taken on her bed to a private ward away from the

maternity unit and there were lots of private detectives about.'

A spokesman for St George's declined to comment on the baby's condition but said: 'We provide specialist care for particularly ill babies, care that most general hospitals can't provide.'

He added that it was not unusual for mothers and babies to be parted when the child needed specialist care.

The Countess was visited yesterday by her parents, Christopher and Mary Rhys- Jones. 'Sophie is absolutely fine,' said Mr Rhys-Jones. 'She is heavily sedated and rather sleepy but she is perfectly okay.'

Prince Charles said he was delighted at the birth of his new niece, who is eighth in line to the throne.

As he set off home from an official visit to Oman, he added: 'I'm thrilled to hear that my sister-in-law has given birth to a baby girl. I know how much this means to both her and my brother and I could not be more delighted.'

The Queen was said to be 'delighted' at the arrival of her seventh grandchild.

Until she fell ill, Sophie's pregnancy had been progressing without complications and she had been expected to give birth early in December at a private London hospital.

The Countess initially suspended official engagements in the early stages of her pregnancy, on doctors' advice, but had resumed duties by June.

Three days ago she opened offices for the ChildLine charity in London.

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