Stabbed pregnant woman gives birth to baby in UK

A 40-year-old heavily pregnant woman, attacked and stabbed at a busy town centre in the UK, has given birth to a healthy baby even as she fights for her life.

The woman is fighting for her life after the attack on Friday in the West Midlands region of England by a man police said was known to her. A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the incident at Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands police said.

They said that her baby "has been born in hospital and is doing well", although she remains in a critical condition. "They (the man and woman) are believed known to each other so this was what we call a domestic-related situation.

As such no other members of the public should be alarmed and should be reassured that we have what we believe is the only person involved in this incident," said Chief Inspector Julian Harper of West Midlands Police.

The victim was heard screaming 'not the baby' just seconds after she was attacked. Two members of the public both men suffered minor injuries after intervening and are being treated. Praising them, Harper said: "I would certainly like to give a big thanks to those individuals who have got involved, those members of the public who have dived into a volatile situation with complete disregard for their own safety and their actions should be commended".

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the woman was airlifted to hospital, where her baby was born later on Friday.