Television tips saved son's life

Baby Josh and his proud parents

Maternity advice picked up from soaps and television helped a Birmingham father save his newborn son's life after he delivered him in the front seat of his car.

Paul Cleaver had to turn midwife when he and his partner Donna Furley got caught up in rush-hour traffic on the way to Solihull Hospital.

The 24-year-old had taken a back route from the couple's home in Kings Heath in an attempt to speed things up.

But he got stuck at the junction of Bills Lane and Shirley Park Road just as Miss Furley, 25, announced the baby's head had arrived.

'No sound'

Baby Josh arrived minutes later.

There is nothing I can specifically put my finger on but it must have come from my partner's maternity books and watching TV

Paul Cleaver

Mr Cleaver said: "I phoned 999 but the ambulance operator said they couldn't get to us for a few minutes.

"I ran round to the passenger side and told Donna to lie down across the front seats."

But after the 7lb 10oz baby was delivered, Mr Cleaver noticed his son had turned blue and the cord was wrapped around his neck.

"Josh was not making a sound.

"I was really worried because you expect a newborn to be screaming.

'Maternity books'

"I unwrapped the umbilical cord from around his neck and I stuck my finger down his throat. Josh then began crying, it was the best sound in the world."

Mr Cleaver said he picked up tips from shows he had seen on the television.

"There is nothing I can specifically put my finger on but it must have come from my partner's maternity books and watching TV."

Mr Cleaver and his partner also have a two-year-old son Luke.