LIKE FATHER ..LIKE SON

A DAD helped deliver his baby daughter on his bedroom floor - 37 years after his own father did the same for him.

Ralph Watson realised time was against him when girlfriend Hazel, 27, went into labour unexpectedly.

He had to act quickly and decided she would give birth at their home.

And Hazel gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Elise, after Ralph doubled as an emergency midwife.

Amazingly Ralph, of Burntisland, Fife, entered the world in similar circumstances - his dad John had to help deliver him all those years ago.

As he cradled his new daughter with Hazel and four-year-old son Connor, Ralph said: "I was just relieved she was OK - it wasn't until later that I thought about my dad and the irony that he did the same.

"It's a bit sad that he is not here to see the baby, but I can imagine him looking down on us, having a snigger and saying 'now you know how I felt'.

"I think he was the same as me - he realised he didn't have the time to get to hospital and just went into auto-pilot.

"I seem to be getting all the credit but Hazel was fantastic and it was definitely down to teamwork."

The birth came as a shock to the happy couple, who weren't expecting little Elise for another nine days.

Ralph, who runs a domestic cleaning company, was having a quiet night at home when Hazel went upstairs to listen to her relaxation CD.

But he was forced into action when Hazel said her contractions had started and the baby would be born that night.

By the time Ralph had organised a babysitter for his son an hour later, Hazel's waters had broken.

Ralph kept his calm as he laid out towels on the bathroom floor and waited for the paramedics to arrive.

Elise was born without any complications, weighing just over seven pounds, and the couple were whisked up to the hospital and back within seven hours.

The happy couple are delighted with the latest addition to the family.

Ralph said: "Elise is just perfect - she let out a little cry when she was born, just to let us know she had arrived and then went to sleep.

"I was worried she might get caught in the cord or something like that, but everything was fine.

"I knew what to do because I was there when my son was born and fortunately I paid attention for once.

"It is not something I was commended for in my school reports but I can pay attention when it matters."

New mum Hazel has dreamed up a special nickname for Ralph after his heroics last Wednesday.

She said: "He was amazing - I'm calling him Superdad."