MEL B - SPICE GIRL DROVE HERSELF TO HOSPITAL AFTER WATERS BROKE

LATEST: Former SPICE GIRL MELANIE BROWN wowed nurses yesterday (02APR07) when she drove herself to Santa Monica, California hospital St Johns after her waters broke at home. The British pop star gave birth to the baby girl she claims is fathered by movie star EDDIE MURPHY early this morning (03APR07). And the tough girl chose not to mess around with ambulances, driving herself to the hospital when she knew her baby was on its way. An insider tells US TV show EXTRA, "The first signs the baby was on the way came during the afternoon when Melanie's waters broke and initial contractions began. "Melanie was on her own in the house at that stage so drove herself to the hospital, rather than spend precious minutes phoning (for) an ambulance." Brown reportedly arrived at St Johns at 5.30pm local time and was admitted to the delivery unit straight away. The WANNABE singer's mother, who rushed to the delivery room with Brown's daughter PHOENIX upon hearing the news, says, "She is looking forward to catching up on some sleep. Both mother and baby are expected to leave the hospital in the next few days."