A dad delivered his baby son in a care home car park after his partner gave birth in the passenger seat of their BMW on the way to hospital. 

Jess Hannam, 31, and Joe Illsley, 34, have now named their newborn after the care home where he was born following his dramatic arrival into the world. 

The couple had been trying to reach Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley, Surrey when their baby decided to arrive a little sooner than expected on August 28. 

Joe was forced to pull into the car park of Bagshot Gardens Care Home, run by Avery Healthcare, after opting for that over a BP garage forecourt.  

He was able to help deliver little Louie Avery by reaching through the passenger car window of their BMW 1 Series - before care home staff also arrived to help. 
   
Mum-of-two Jess, of Bracknell, said: “It was a very unforgettable birth, we were weighing up whether to stop at petrol station or a care home.

"Luckily, we picked the care home as it was more sanitary."

The pair, who are both graphic designers, said the day began “very normally” on August 28 when Jess asked Joe to go and clean the car. 

However, Jess, who was 39 weeks pregnant,  then noticed she was having contractions five minutes apart. 

Jess was advised by the maternity unit to head straight to the hospital, but their journey took an unexpected turn just ten minutes into the drive.  

Jess said: "My waters broke, and I knew the baby was coming, I told Joe, 'You need to pull over now.'” 

To make matters worse Jess was in passenger seat but the seat was so far forward he couldn’t reach in. 

So he had to wind down the window and deliver the baby – through the window of the car. 

Jess added: "While it was happening, I couldn’t even think about anything else, but once the baby was born, we had that initial relief—and then a bit of panic too.  

“We started wondering, what if the cord was wrapped around his neck?" 

Fortunately, the baby was born healthy and Louie, weighing 6lb 7oz, came out crying - to the relief of his parents. 

The time from the contractions to Louie’s birth happened in little over an hour and a half. 

Jess said: "To hear him cry was a massive relief.  

“We didn’t have anything with us except my hospital bag with clothes.” 

Joe then saw somebody come out of care home and ran to ask for help, with the care home worker “looking petrified” because it “looked like a murder scene.” 

Jess added: "But once he explained the situation she immediately ran in for help and lots of staff came out to assist. 

“Loads of people were helping, and constantly checking on me and they brought lots of towels and blankets."

Louie was even given the middle name Avery as a tribute to the care home staff who were on hand to help..