Baby Noah born in flood-hit car on way to hospital

Becky said the birth of their son was ‘a blur’

BBC Luke and Becky standing either side of an intensive care hospital cot where baby Noah is lying. Luke has a dark goatee and is wearing a black cap and checked shirt. Becky has long dark hair and is wearing black framed glasses and a black vest with a silver necklace. Both of them have their hands placed inside the cot, touching Noah's head and hands. — Becky said the birth of their son was ‘a blur’

A couple are celebrating the unexpected arrival of their premature son who was born in their car after it got stuck in flood water.

Becky Whittle and Luke Browning, from Newent, were on their way to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on Sunday when their son Noah was born.

They were already on a detour to avoid flooding caused by Storm Bert but got stuck outside Malvern Tyres in Gloucester.

“We’ve had fun along the journey and we realise how lucky we are because it could have gone really badly,” Becky said.

The first-time mother was only 33 weeks when she began to experience cramps on Sunday morning.

She did not think anything of it until the pain got “progressively worse”.

Becky and Luke spoke to the BBC about the experience

By the time Luke arrived home from work with painkillers, Becky’s pain was “quite bad” and the couple made the decision to go to hospital.

“I was hoping to hold out until the hospital,” Becky said. “I tried to stay calm because I thought I can’t stop it.

“I just had it in my head that he’s coming… what else could I have done?”

Luke called 999 for an ambulance but knew that it was unlikely to reach them in time.

While they waited for paramedics to arrive, the call handler tried to keep the couple calm and advised them on how to get through the birth.

“It was pretty terrifying,” said Luke. “He came out really fast.

“I felt nervous, worried… it was a pretty full-on experience.”

Noah was born at 15:50 GMT.

Baby Noah in a cot. He is sleeping, tucked under a mint-coloured blanket. His mouth is open and his hands are by his face. — Noah was born seven weeks early

When the couple reached the hospital, Becky was rushed into surgery with blood clots while Noah was taken to intensive care.

Dr Heather White, a paediatric consultant, said the baby was in “pretty good condition” considering the nature of his birth.

“For a pre-term baby to be born outside of the hospital is incredibly stressful for parents and they did a fantastic job… in such a difficult situation.”

“Well done to everybody involved,” she added.

Noah was in intensive care to support his breathing but he has now been transferred to the special care nursery where doctors and nurses will focus on getting him to feed and grow before he can go home to his family.

Becky is also recovering well following labour and surgery.

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