DESPITE nine months of planning for a perfect delivery, a newborn baby eventually arrived into the world on the passenger seat of a Renault Laguna in a hospital car park.

Rebecca Jennings, 28, was parked just metres away from Darlington Memorial Hospital’s maternity ward when she started giving birth to her son following a frantic three-mile drive from her home to the hospital.

Her partner, George MacSorley, 37, was at the wheel of the family car during the early hours when Miss Jennings felt her waters break on nearby Woodland Road.

The couple had hoped to deliver their second son together in hospital, however week-old Kieran Derek MacSorley had other ideas.

Mr MacSorley, of Chestnut Drive, Darlington, said rebecca woke at 3am on Tuesday, January 3, with her contractions starting to get stronger and closer together.

“We phoned the hospital who told us to stay at home for a few more hours and to have some paracetamol and a bath so Rebecca’s mum, Amanda, came over and looked after her.

“It wasn’t long until Rebecca said she needed to go to hospital and when we were in the car, she felt her waters pop and she started to push.

“When we got to the car park she said she couldn’t get out and that the baby’s head was already there.

“She asked me to go and get help, so I took a few steps, but came straight back because I couldn’t leave her and we rang the ward instead.

“We delivered the baby with Rebecca’s mum and wrapped him in a towel straight away because it was a freezing cold night – she was absolutely amazing to do it all without pain relief, I’m so proud of her.”

Mr MacSorley cut the umbilical cord in Darlington Memorial Hospital car park before the family were taken inside and told they had a healthy baby boy.

Darlington Memorial Hospital midwife, Elliott Best, said: “When I got to the car park, even though it was very dark, I was able to follow the shouts from the small crowd that had gathered.

“Baby had just been delivered and his father had very sensibly tucked him against the mum’s skin to keep him warm.

“After checking that both baby and mum were ok and wrapping them up against the cold, we brought them to the labour ward for further checks.

“I was just doing my job and we’re all delighted they’re doing well.”

Little Kieran has since been welcomed home by his older brother, Jake, three, who enjoys singing lullabies to his sibling.

Miss Jennings said: “As soon as we got to the car park I knew I couldn’t get out it was all over in three pushes.

“We were known as the car park baby couple in the hospital and everyone was really interested to find out what happened.

“It was very surreal and you can think what if this or that happened, but at the time you don’t think about it, everyone just got on with it and we managed.”

Mr MacSorley added: “We think he must be the first car park baby of 2017 – the car park CCTV is probably worth watching!”