A nine-year-old girl has showed her skills as a midwife by stepping in to support her mum and deliver her baby sister - even catching her as she emerged.
Aa'Kayla Gunn, from Missouri, in the US, was nervous but didn't panic when called into action by her mum Angelica, 30, who started having intense contractions more than a week before her due date.
With Angelica's husband Caleb Gunn, 29, stuck in traffic, the nine-year-old took control of the situation.
She called emergency services and family relatives before delivering baby Aubree and handing her over to her mum to cuddle.
Angelica is a nurse so was able to coach Aa'Kayla through the process while a medic and her sister were on the phone offering support and guidance.
She said: "She was scared at first and I kind of coached her through. I told her, 'it's just me and you, so we're going to have to do it together'.
"After that, she hopped right in. She handled it really well.
"She called 911, she called my husband, she called my sister, she was a big helper when it happened."
Angelica was due to give birth on July 9, but realised on June 28 that she was ready.
Angelica continued: "I screamed for my daughter to come in and help me as much as she could, I crawled into bed and had to push.
"I pushed three times and she was out, and my daughter grabbed her."
Husband Caleb, a wedding photographer, arrived 10 minutes later and was relieved to see the birth had gone well.
Aubree is now doing well at home with her parents and siblings, Aa'Kayla and four-year-old CJ.
