Father catches tot in fast delivery

While most Pilbara babies are born in hospital, Karratha newborn Shayla Roza Corps had a far more unconventional entry into the world.

Now eight days old, Shayla was delivered by her father on the front seat of the family car after a speedy arrival caught her parents off- guard.

Parents Natasha Roza-Butler and Kristian Corps had just got in the car to drive to Nickol Bay Hospital when Shayla beat them to it.

Ms Roza-Butler said contractions, which had started in the early hours of Tuesday morning, still did not feel intense at 9am, and even suggested her husband could go to work.

"I called the hospital at about 9am and (the midwife) asked how I was doing and I said 'not too bad, I think I'll come in soon'," she said.

Shayla was born an hour and 45 minutes later, before her parents could make it to the delivery room.

"I underestimated how fast it was going to happen," Ms Roza-Butler said.

"I don't think we realised until we were in the car and I realised it was too late.

"She was crowning by the time I was on the front seat of the car."

Father Mr Corps sprung into action, helping wife Ms Roza-Butler through the final stage of labour.

"It happened so quickly," he said.

"The fact that I didn't have time to think was probably the best thing that could have happened, it was just there and that was it.

"Lucky I played a bit of cricket in my younger days, and I managed to catch her."

St John Ambulance officers Megan Hinkley and Peter Mews arrived minutes after Shayla was born and were able to perform health checks of mother and baby.

Mr Corps said it was a relief to see the ambulance arrive.

"I'm not used to seeing a baby the colour it is when it first comes out and it shocked me at first," he said.

Lucky both baby and mother were in good health, with Mr Corps helping officers cut the umbilical cord at the scene.

Ms Hinkley said being part of the birth was a great experience.

"It's the best thing I've ever done in my life," she said.

"Our job isn't always fun, we're there to help people and that's what it's all about, but to actually be part of something so special was unbelievable. We were hoping on the way to the job that everything was going to go to plan and it did, it went beautifully."