Blackburn couple deliver baby in car on way to maternity unit (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn couple deliver baby in car on way to maternity unit

4:00pm Saturday 27th October 2012 in News

A COUPLE welcomed the surprisingly early arrival of their new son - en-route to hospital.

Dad Paul Kellett became the stand-in midwife when partner Marie Stephens said ‘It’s time’ only half way to Burnley Hospital’s Maternity Unit.

The 33-year-old had only left the house 15 minutes before little William arrived outside Royal Blackburn Hospital on the side of Haslingden Old Road.

Paul also cleared his son’s airways under instructions over the phone.

The 46-year-old builder was just approaching the motorway when he had to stop and call for help.

The couple had also been told Marie’s iron levels were low and Paul feared complications.

He said: “I had only just put petrol in the car to make sure we didn’t run out, and she was saying she was very close. So we rang 999 and the operator was talking us through it.

“Sometimes you just go blank and I was very grateful for his help, he was brilliant.

“I would definitely like to thank him as there was no time to think.

“It was an emotional moment when our son arrived. He is named after my late father who died in 2007. He started crying after he cleared his airways. It was an experience I will never forget”

The baby arrived weighing 7lb at 8.50am on Wednesday.

Paul added: “It was just 15 minutes since I’d picked her up to take her to hospital when the baby was in my hands.”

Shortly afterwards an ambulance arrived and took them to Blackburn Birthing Centre in Park Lee Road.

William is Paul and Marie’s first child together, with retail worker Marie already a mum-of-three and Paul a dad-of-four from previous relationships.

The couple, who have been together for three years, live in the Infirmary area of Blackburn. Mum and baby were checked over at the birthing centre and are now back at home, doing well.

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