A MUM gave birth to her second child on the side of a main road in Derby – delivered by her husband.
Monika Zawierucha, 24, was being rushed to hospital by husband, Jerzy, 25, after she went into labour at their Mackworth home.
But, by the time they reached Markeaton Island, the baby's head had already started to appear.
The shocked couple, originally from Poland, decided there was no time to get to the Royal Derby Hospital so Jerzy pulled over on the A38, opposite the McDonald's restaurant, and delivered the child himself.
Monika said: "It was unbelievable. I don't know if anyone could see what was happening because I was just in shock.
"I was at home and suddenly began having contractions every 10 minutes. I called the hospital and they said to call back or come in when they were every five minutes.
"My husband was at work and I called him to come home. Thirty minutes later, he was back and my contractions were now every two minutes. I was having very strong pain.
"We got in the car and, within a minute-and-a-half, I could feel the head coming along.
"Jerzy asked me if he should stop the car and I said: 'I don't know'. I couldn't stop it so he pulled over.
"He got out and stopped the first car he saw. She said, 'Oh no!' and called an ambulance.
"She was fantastic. She was an English woman and so could speak to the operator clearer than we could.
"My husband stayed by my side and helped deliver the baby. He was amazing. I don't know how he did it because he didn't really know what he was doing."
Monika gave birth to a healthy girl, who they named Hanna. Both mother and child were picked up by an ambulance and taken to hospital, where Monika spent just six hours before deciding she was well enough to return to the family's home in Finchley Avenue.
The drama was missed by the couple's five-year-old son, Konrad, who was being looked after by a relative.
Monika said she is keen to trace the woman who called an ambulance and stayed until paramedics arrived.
She said: "I didn't even get to see her. I don't know what car she has or anything.
"It's important I get to speak to her because she was fantastic and I really want to say thank-you to her."
It is not the first time a Derby mum has given birth in public.
In 2012, a boy of three was hailed a little hero after he helped his mother to give birth to his little sister in the car park at Asda Spondon.
Sonia Chima was minutes away from hospital with husband Kaz and son Joshan when she yelled: "Stop the car, this baby is coming."
Then, as Kaz spoke to paramedics on the phone, Joshan held his mum's hand inside the car and advised her on breathing techniques.
Are you the woman who stopped in this latest incident? Call reporter Paul Whyatt on 01332 253053.
They are taken from an exhibition called The Pride and the Passion, which is currently on until September 7 at Quad in the Market Place and partially celebrates the football fan and the crowds.
It includes many images relating to Derby County Football Club, as well as other clubs, in collaboration with The Derby County Collection.
Let us know if you recognise yourself or anyone else and tell us the story behind the photographs on 01332 253053. Or if you have any crowd pictures from the same era, e-mail them to photographers@derby telegraph.co.uk
DERBYSHIRE'S native ladybird population is at risk from a cannibal species from Europe.
The harlequin species is thought to be thriving in the county after first being spotted in the UK ten years ago.
These bugs are bigger than the common native species, have more spots and are eating their way through the indigenous population. There are now thought to be a billion of them in the UK.
Dave Budworth, of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Entomological Society, was concerned the presence of the harlequin could have damaging effects on its smaller neighbour.
He said: "It is a bigger animal than the seven-spot ladybird and it seems to be able to survive in our climate and therefore is quite capable of decimating other species.
"The balance between the two will shift to a new level."
This week is National Insect Week, organised by the Royal Entomological Society, to celebrate all things creepy crawly.
Dr Helen Roy, of the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, leads the UK Ladybird Survey and is concerned about the impacts the alien ladybirds are having on the ecosystem.
She said: "We recently published research highlighting the threat posed by the harlequin ladybird to other species.
"Seven out of eight species we assessed showed significant declines in distribution in response to the arrival of the harlequin ladybird."
Dr Roy added that this type of situation is often very difficult to contain once a significant population has been allowed to develop.
She said: "Unfortunately, after an invasive alien insect arrives and establishes in a new region it is often extremely difficult to control. This is the case with the harlequin ladybird.
"We have been studying the natural enemies of ladybirds that occur in the UK to see if they have potential to naturally control the harlequin ladybird.
"However, it is highly resilient to natural enemies."
The Royal Entomological Society's director of outreach, Luke Tilley, agreed that the increase in numbers of the harlequin could have a big impact on those of other insects.
He said: "They have been very successful in colonising the UK."
One of the original sightings of the insect was recorded in Derby in 2004.
And this week promotes awareness and appreciation of all bugs, with general populations in decline.
Numbers of popular species such as bumble bees, butterflies and dragonflies in particular are falling.
Mr Tilley said the garden is the perfect place to see a variety of species.
He said: "Wherever you are you can find a whole range of insects."
He offered some expert advice for those interested in using their garden as a sanctuary for them to thrive in.
"Leaving the weeds and letting your grass grow provides more habitat for them to live in," he added.
"Nectar-rich plants and wild flowers such as viper's bugloss and lavender can attract bees and other bugs for those who wish to maintain an attractive outside space."
12:58 #A38 from Exeter to Bodmin between jct A390 Liskeard West & the A30, delays of 10 mins due to heavy traffic. http://t.co/KDZcdL69rA
— Traffic Update (@traffic_update) June 26, 2014#A38 lanes closed and delays building approaching the A516 and the A5111 near Derby while Police attend an accident
— Highways Agency (@HAtraffic_emids) June 26, 2014A38 northbound between the Mickleover turn and the Royal Derby Hospital will be closed due to a road traffic collision, avoid the area.
— Derbyshire FRS (@DerbyshireFRS) June 26, 2014
