EXCLUSIVE

by Joe Walker

A heavily-pregnant mum gave supermarket shoppers a shock when her waters broke in the salad aisle.

Carine McCarthy – who was nine days overdue - had popped to Morrisons with her mum and daughter on July 15 when nature took its course.

Staff and shoppers came to her aid and baby Mason was born less than four hours later.

Shoe shop manager Carine, 31, of Fitzgerald Avenue, Herne Bay, said: “It was so embarrassing.

“I was looking for some food to make a roast dinner when all of a sudden my waters just went.

“I was glued to the spot. It felt like someone had turned on a tap full blast and it wouldn’t stop. I made a right mess on the floor.

“I was wearing light blue jeans as well, so there was no hiding the fact I was having a bit of a problem.”

Carine’s mum Nicoline rushed to get help and moved her car to the entrance of the Beach Street supermarket.

Carine said: “A young lad who worked there came over, looked at me clueless and said 'what do I do?’.

“I said he could start by getting me a mop and I’d clean it up myself.

“He went running off and a customer got me a wheelchair to sit in.

“He was really helpful and wheeled me out of the supermarket to my mum’s car.

“Everyone was looking at me as I went. It was really embarrassing.

"Luckily, some of them realised what had happened and were wishing me luck.

“One even said her waters broke in Asda and that I had gone upmarket by waiting until I was in Morrisons.”

Carine called her husband Steve and raced home to grab her baby bag.

The couple were in such a rush they drove to Margate hospital with the boot in the air.

Carine said: “We hadn’t noticed till we were almost there that we’d forgotten to put the boot down.

“But it was the last thing on my mind to be honest. My waters broke at about 4pm and Mason was born weighing 8lb 10oz at 7.50pm.

“I know it was only four hours, but it felt like a lifetime.

“It was definitely the most eventful shopping trip I’ve ever been on.”

Morrisons spokesman Paul Fitzjohn said: “We can confirm a customer’s waters broke whilst in store.

"The customer was provided with a wheelchair and administered first aid until she was ready to leave and was accompanied by her daughter and mum.

"We’d like to congratulate her on her new arrival.”