“My first labour was only three hours long. I was due in for an induction the next day and arrived at the hospital with mild contractions only to be told I wasn’t in labour but could stay because I’d had my show from 37 weeks. Good thing because my daughter Ruby was born just three hours later," says Vanessa Walsh, 23.

"That's why the second time around I was advised right from the start to have a home birth," she continues.  To be honest I wasn’t really into the idea, as I am not into natural birth or alternative health or anything. Plus I didn’t like the idea of not being able to have pain relief.

However, over time the midwives and doctors persuaded me, saying as my first birth had been so fast, this one would probably be even faster.

Rugby tackle

On my due date my contractions started in the early morning, so we called the midwife at 2 am - and sure enough my daughter Tegen was born at 3.40 am! It all happened so fast, but I can remember that when the midwife arrived, I said ‘I need to go to the toilet’ and that’s where I stayed as I felt really comfortable there. I suppose because I had gravity working with me and I felt supported – a bit like being on a birthing stool – so I refused to get off even though the midwife and my mum kept trying to make me get on to the floor.

The next thing my waters broke into the toilet and my mum and my midwife both rugby-tackled me to the bathroom floor. The midwife started shouting desperately for towels, while my poor husband was rooting through her bag for gloves and she was saying, ‘Forget the gloves, we need towels right now!'

Are you alright dear?

Apparently Tegen’s head was already crowning because the next thing I knew was she was out and crying. I was a bit in shock because it all happened so fast and felt a bit like I had missed something. All I can recall is my eighty-year old grandmother in the next room saying, ‘Are you alright dear?’

The midwife then stayed with us for an hour and came back six hours later to see if we were all okay. It was great because in between I had a sleep, got changed and just felt really comfortable being at home with my family. I’d recommend a home birth to anyone, because it’s so nice. You don’t have to be hippy to choose one because I’m nothing like that.  Compared to being in hospital it’s private, and you can nip out for fresh air if you want and choose your own visiting times!

Best of all it’s less medical. I loved the fact I had the one-to-one care of a midwife - though you’re supposed to have two midwives with you but my daughter arrived too fast for that. I’m not sure if I’ll have another but if I do I think I’ll do it exactly the same way again.”