Surprise delivery for Dad with Charlie’s fast arrival

Adrian Anstee of Lower Stondon delivered the baby just minutes after he dialed 999.

His 33-year-old wife, Kate, decided to have a bath before travelling to the maternity unit at Bedford Hospital on Thursday, March 21.

Adrian, also 33, said: “I’d been doing some decorating during the day and was waiting for Kate to get out of the bath so I could have a shower and we could head over to Bedford Hospital in plenty of time.

“My wife’s contractions picked up speed really quickly and before I knew it, Kate was screaming she needed to push.

“I dialled 999 at 5.50pm.Charlie was born five minutes later and then the three of us sat in the bathroom waiting for the emergency services.

“They arrived about 20 minutes later and I was able to finally cut the cord.

“It was amazing and totally terrifying. The birth was fairly straightforward but we certainly didn’t plan to have the baby at home.

“We were lucky there were no complications and I managed to stay fully conscious!”

Charlie was born two days early. Kate had had some contractions the night before but they had stopped.

Charlie, weighed 7lb 8oz at birth, is a younger brother for 22-month-old Lucas.

Lucas clearly has the makings of an excellent older brother as he is very attentive to Charlie and took to the new arrival very quickly.

Adrian, who is a neighbourhood officer for Thrive Homes, added: “Kate and I are both over the moon with our new son and are very proud of our unplanned home birth.”