Shock as woman delivers her own granddaughter

She had always hoped to be present when her daughter Zoe gave birth but she had not expected to deliver the new arrival herself.

Gina stepped in after arriving at Zoe's home in Middleton, Leeds, to find her daughter about to give birth on the living room floor. She dialled 999 and with the help of operator, Bev White, brought Evie Georgina into the world one week early.

She was told to fetch towels and hot water but was hoping the paramedics would arrive in time for the birth.

The medical secretary, from Whitkirk, Leeds, said: "I kept having to leave the room because Zoe was screaming quite loudly and I couldn't hear the lady on the phone.

"We thought at first that the paramedics would be there to deliver her because we didn't realise it would all happen so fast. Then Zoe suddenly said, 'Mum, I need to push.'

"The 999 operator said to me, 'I think you're going to have to deliver this baby'. I didn't really have time to think much about it. The paramedics arrived but went straight back out for gas and air and while they were outside, the baby came out, straight onto my skirt."

She added: "Her middle name is Georgina, after me. It was always going to be Georgina anyway but I feel I've earned it now."

"My feet just haven't touched the ground since last week. It's not like everybody gets the chance to do this."

Gina went to the house after receiving a call from Zoe's partner Paul, who told her Zoe, 28, had labour pains. He had reluctantly left to go to his job as a van driver, thinking the baby would take some time to arrive.

But the birth took just 20 minutes, with baby Evie arriving on August 4, weighing 5lbs and half an ounce.

The family now plan to write to the 999 operator and paramedics James Bichard and Joseph Newlands, thanking them.

Trevor Baldwin, from Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: "Gina stayed really calm throughout and should be very proud of the way she handled what must have been a very daunting situation."

Zoe added: "I'm glad mum was there although it's not exactly how we planned it. But at least we have a story to tell Evie when she grows up."