PM has no baby blues as labour dominates holiday

His wife Samantha had not been due to give birth to their fourth child until September, and the family were hoping to enjoy a peaceful week away on the north Cornish coast.

All that changed in the early hours of yesterday morning, when 39-year-old Mrs Cameron suddenly went into labour.

"It was a bit of a shock," Mr Cameron said. "I always thought it was possible, because Samantha's have tended to come a bit early. She'd been having contractions for the last couple of days on and off, and just thought this was time to come to the hospital and check out to see if everything was fine.

"The next thing we knew they were all getting into the gear and the baby was coming out."

Mrs Cameron has now delivered all four of her children by Caesarean section. The Prime Minister – who said his job had been to "make the toast and tea, and things like that" during the birth – was full of praise for the "fantastic" staff at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro where the baby was born.

"It's a wonderful hospital," he said. "They were all so friendly, everyone put us completely at our ease – it's quite nerve-wracking when things happen quickly. They were all absolutely wonderful. It's so lovely to be here in Truro, and to have the baby here."

The Camerons can now turn their attention to choosing a name for their new daughter, with the Prime Minister suggesting a Cornish influence can be expected.

"I think maybe we'll have to have something Cornish in the middle – not that I'll have any say in it, of course," he said. "I'm in for suggestions (for the name) but it's very exciting having a baby in Cornwall, so we'll have to have something Cornish in there somewhere. I've got the book out and Samantha's having a look through it, and she'll decide before long."

The 43-year-old Tory leader first hinted earlier this year that he would like to have another child, following the death of his elder son Ivan in 2009. News of his wife's pregnancy emerged just a few weeks before the General Election was called for May 6.

Mr Cameron follows his former adversary Tony Blair in becoming one of the few Prime Ministers in history to father a child while resident in Number 10.

Tony and Cherie Blair's son Leo – also the couple's fourth child – was born in 2000. The previous serving PM to become a new father was Lord Russell, back in 1849.

Mr Cameron had been expected to return to work next week after the family's trip to Cornwall but is now expected to take some paternity leave.

That is likely to mean Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg continuing to hold the fort in Downing Street, as he has done throughout the Camerons' holiday. Mr Clegg sent congratulations from himself and his wife to the Prime Minister yesterday.

"Miriam and I are absolutely delighted by the fantastic news," he said. "All our best wishes are with David and Samantha at this special time for them and their family."

The hospital's midwifery matron, Helen Ross McGill, said it had been business as usual for staff who normally deliver around 10 babies each day "but obviously we don't normally have the press outside the building".

She added: "I have to say the staff are thrilled, but actually we are thrilled whenever we have a successful outcome with any mother and baby in the unit."

Responding to Mr Cameron's praise for the hospital and its staff, she said: "Thank you, Prime Minister."

WHAT'S IN A NAME FROM CORNWALL

The Camerons will not be short of suggestions as they search for the perfect Cornish middle name for their new baby girl.

A beaming Mr Cameron told reporters the baby would "have to have something Cornish in the middle".

The proud new parents could draw inspiration from a string of Cornish saints such as Beryan, Kayna and Merryn.

Or they could opt for Kerensa, meaning love, or Lowenna, which stands for joyful.

Another option is Tegen, meaning a pretty little thing, or Morenwyn, a fair maiden.

If none of these appeal, the Camerons could opt for a fetching floral name such as Caja, a daisy, or Rosenwyn, a fair rose.

The pair could even be inspired by some of the weird and wonderful place or river names throughout Cornwall, including Demelza, Zennor or Lamorna.