Lindsey Nottingham was concerned, when, at 37 weeks, her midwife thought that her baby seemed unusually large. “I was given a scan at 38 weeks, and it showed the baby at 9lb 7oz – with 2 weeks left to grow. The head circumference was off the chart. I saw the consultant and they agreed to induce me on my due date. I was very worried about not making it to the hospital and having to deliver an enormous baby in the car.  My first baby was quick and I had a rough time – and he was only 7lb 14oz.”

After an otherwise trouble-free pregnancy, Lindsey went into hospital on the afternoon of her due date. “The midwife gave me a pessary and said they would examine me again for progress in 8 hours.  I went down to the antenatal ward to wait, and at 9pm, when all the dads had to leave, I said goodbye to Paul.”

“At 9:30 I had my first contraction. I got to the labour ward at around 10:15, and the pain was incredible.  I then had my first breath of gas and air, which helped, and I asked if I could have an epidural.  When the midwife examined me she saw that I was 8cm dilated and said ring your husband now! She asked where he was coming from and when I said Gosport she sent the other midwife to ask everyone to tell Mr Nottingham to run. She told me he’d got 20 minutes to get there.”

Lindsey then asked again for an epidural, and was distressed to be told that it was too late. “The midwife said there was no time. I was horrified. It sent me into a panic – an epidural was the sum total of my birth plan!”

“The midwife was great. She said ‘just do what I tell you and it’ll be fine’, so I did, and she was right.  At 10.50 she said ‘dad’s had his 20 minutes, you need to push’. Right at that moment the door burst open and Paul ran in.”

After just ten minutes of pushing, baby Jemima was placed on Lindsey’s chest. “I think I went into shock – a girl, and a ninety minute labour with only gas and air. We’d expected a boy when we knew the birth weight would be high. But she was perfect in every way.”

“I was able to ring my family from the bed which was great, as no one expected a call that night. She’s the first, and last, granddaughter on both sides, with two doting aunties. The birth was much better than my first, and the recovery was so much faster.  I’m glad I didn’t have the epidural now, although I begged for it at the time! It was so much nicer to not have a drip in, and to be able to have a shower straight after the birth.”

“I spent the rest of the night at the Queen Alexandra, and then went to the Blake Birth Centre for two nights. When we got home it was hectic, but fun. There were loads of family members there to welcome us, and the second time around you know what to expect and what to do. Jemima’s so easy going - no colic, sleeping through at three weeks and happy all day. She’s the perfect baby. Jerry adores her and the feeling is mutual – they spend most of the day giggling with each other.”