As a childminder, Sharon Colyer is used to the responsibility of looking after other people's children.

Norwich Evening News: Baby Jemima Isaacs, now four-days-old, who was delivered by the childminder, Sharon Colyer. Picture: Denise BradleyBaby Jemima Isaacs, now four-days-old, who was delivered by the childminder, Sharon Colyer. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: copyright: Archant 2014)

But the 42-year-old got more than she bargained for when she was forced to play midwife in a dramatic home delivery.

The mother-of-two received a call from Rosie Clutton in the early hours of Friday morning, asking her to look aftter two-year-old Matlida while she went to hospital to give birth.

But by the time Mrs Colyer, who lives on Hearts Farm in Wymondham, arrived, the contractions were quickening and it became clear that the baby was on its way.

Mrs Clutton, 36, said: 'I woke up and started having really strong contractions - they were getting stronger and I was panicking. I had wanted a home birth but I was told that there were no midwives, so to come into hospital.

'But by the time Sharon got here it was too late. I was worried that there was no-one medically trained there for it. It was zero to 60 in such a short space of time.'

With a birthing pool set up in the conservatory, Mrs Colyer and father-to-be Ian decided they would have to take charge.

'I'd had no experience of anything like it,' Mrs Colyer said. 'I've given birth to my own children 13 years ago but that's about it, it's amazing what comes back to you. I was nervous but I did what I could.'

Things took a turn for the worse after baby Jemima struggled to take her first breath - but Mrs Colyer's quick-thinking saved the day.

Mrs Clutton, who lives on Church Lane in Wicklewood, said: 'Sharon turned her over and was rubbing her back - I wasn't able to do anything. As far as I'm concerned my baby's here because of her.' she said.

An ambulance quickly whisked mother and baby off to hospital, while Mrs Colyer went home - and was back looking after youngsters that same day.

'It's been surreal - I'd been there through the whole pregnancy but I didn't expect to be there for the actual birth.

'It was a complete privilege to be there and to be able to see something like a little one come into the world,' she said.

Do you have a Wymondham story for us? Contact reporter Lauren Cope on Lauren.cope@archant.co.uk