AFTER her daughter Imogen was born in hospital, Louisa Whitfield wanted to have her second child at home.

But when writing her birth plan with husband Jason, aged 35, Louisa had second thoughts.

During Imogen's delivery, doctors had to intervene when, at the end of 12 long hours, Louisa's labour failed to progress adequately. They used a ventouse, or vacuum device, to help with the birth.

Understandably, the couple wanted to be as safe as possible when they discovered Louisa was pregnant again.

"We initially considered a home birth, but Jason wasn't keen in case anything went wrong," says 34-year-old Louisa, of Moorside Road, Werrington.

"If you're in hospital then everything is there and to hand.

"Imogen needed the ventouse and we don't exactly live on the doorstep of the maternity hospital so we ruled it out."

Jason and Louisa attended just one antenatal class during the second pregnancy. After all, they knew what to expect.

But their son, Owyn, had different plans.

Louisa went into labour in the early hours of June 18 last year, two days before her due date. As with Imogen, she didn't yet know the sex of the baby.

"I started to have contractions at about 1.10am," she says. "I wasn't sure at first, but half an hour later I woke my husband up.

"We rang the hospital and they told me to have a bath and take two Paracetamol, because the contractions weren't very regular and my waters hadn't broken."

As her pains became more intense, Louisa asked Jason to call her mum and dad. Jennifer and Geoffrey Turnock, who live just five minutes' drive away, were on standby. It had been pre-arranged that they would look after Imogen when Louisa went to hospital.

"I was calm up to a point and trying to be quiet, because I didn't want to frighten Imogen," says Louisa. "I began whimpering a bit with the pain. Then it began to get overwhelming.

"My mum and dad arrived at about 3.30am and mum came upstairs into the bedroom to me as I was trying to get dressed to go to the hospital.

"Jason was moving the cars around so we could go, but while he was outside all of a sudden, my waters broke."

Realising they wouldn't have time to get to hospital, quick-thinking Jennifer rang the midwifery unit at the hospital and an ambulance was despatched.

"When you get older you forget how painful it is," says Jennifer, who has a son, David, and another grandchild, Jonathan, aged 13. "But seeing it brings it all back."

Louisa had used etonox, or gas and air, during Imogen's birth, but, in the absence of medical help, had no choice but to cope with the pain without anything.

"I was screaming for the paramedics, because I was desperate for some pain relief," says Louisa. "All the time, the midwife was on the phone talking us through it.

"She asked my mum to look to see if she could see anything and she saw the head. Then with another push, the baby's body followed. But it was silent and my heart sank.

"I was elated because the pain was over, but because there was no crying I looked at my mum and was asking her over and over again, 'Why isn't it crying?' I could see the umbilical cord, but at that point I couldn't tell if it was a boy or a girl."

"It was a bit traumatic because I could see the cord had wrapped around his neck," recalls 57-year-old Jennifer.

"Jason was looking out for the ambulance and I was shouting for him. The midwife told us to wrap the baby up in towels and rub his back, but I knew I first had to try to get the cord from around his neck. His face was also covered in membrane so I managed to move that away.

"I covered him up so he was warm, then I put my finger down the side of the cord to make sure it wasn't around his throat.

"I was shaking, but just kept telling myself that I had to keep calm."

At that point, the paramedics rushed in and took the baby from Jennifer. Within seconds, 9lbs 4½oz baby Owyn let out a cry.

"It was the most amazing sound," says Louisa. "I was so relieved because it could have gone so horribly wrong. The two paramedics, Tracy and John, were fantastic."

Unfortunately Jason had missed the birth by a few moments, but was able to cut the cord with the help of Imogen, now aged two.

Because mum and child were both healthy they were allowed to stay at home to recover.

"Jason was upset that he missed it, but he was just glad that my mum was there," says Louisa. "We were all in a bit of shock. None of us could believe how fast it happened."

Jennifer is very proud of her daughter.

"It was a wonderful, miraculous experience," she says. "I was in the St John Ambulance for a few years, but I only treated one person and that was for a broken arm.

"I am immensely proud of Louisa. I thought nothing could top her graduating and getting married, but I don't think anything could beat this."

And the grandparents will once again offer help when Louisa returns to work as head occupational therapist at Cheadle Hospital.

"Both my mum and dad are great and Imogen and Owyn adore them, so they'll be looking after them when my maternity leave ends," says Louisa.

"Mum really did a fantastic job, but she's a great lady. She's my best friend and I'm closer than ever to her. I know it sounds like a cliche but she's the best mum anyone could ask for."

Do you have a wonderful mum? Write and tell us about them by writing to Features Desk, The Sentinel, Forge Lane, Etruria, ST1 5SS or email featuresdesk@thesentinel.co.uk