Derbyshire petrolheads celebrate arrival of daughter – born in their car!

Sound and video technician Matthew Howe turned doctor and helped deliver his firstborn when his partner Ruth Whiffin went into labour on her way to hospital.

Their bundle of joy, Eliza Rosie, was born on the A61 Derby Road at Longedge Lane at 10.28pm on Tuesday, March 31. She weighed 5lb 14oz.

Ruth and Matthew, of Manor Road, South Wingfield, said: “It was all very dramatic and a night we certainly won’t forget in a hurry.

“We’re glad it happened on March 31 and not April 1 otherwise there’s no way people would have believed us!”

Ruth said her pregnancy had been “incredibly smooth” up to her due date of March 27.

The 39-year-old events organiser was in a yoga class on the evening of March 31 when she started having mild contractions.

She said: “Doctors advised us that we had hours to wait as this was our first baby and we should stay at home, keep well hydrated and get some rest.

“However, within the space of 20 minutes, the contractions had intensified so we decided to get in the car and head to Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

“My waters broke five minutes later and 15 minutes after that Matthew had to make an emergency stop at the side of the road.

“He ran round to the passenger side and after a couple of pushes he caught her – he did a fantastic job.”

Ruth said both her and baby were doing “very well” after the “very natural birth”.

She added: “We love our cars so it was a very fitting way of her entering the world.”