Bathtime shock as baby born

Mum Steph Parkes, from Telford, has told of her shock and surprise at giving birth in the space of three minutes as she was about to step into a bath.

The 22-year-old had gone into hospital to be induced because her baby was nine days overdue. At only 2cm dilated, she decided to take a bath to ease the pain, with nurses telling her she would probably be in labour for a while longer.

But while her fiance, builder Mark Hodgkiss, was running the bath Steph, of Sutton Hill, suddenly felt the baby coming.

The emergency cord was pulled and midwives rushed into the bathroom to help.However, there was no time to get Steph out of the bathroom, and within the space of three minutes baby Joshua was born, weighing 9lb 2oz.

The drama, which unfolded in the bathroom at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital's maternity ward on September 12, left her "gobsmacked".

Steph, who is also mother to 17-month old Ellie-Mae, said: "I had been induced at about noon. At 5.15pm I was 2cm dilated. They said the baby wouldn't be here for a while. I was having bad pains so I thought I would have a bath. We went into the bathroom and the contractions were coming stronger and stronger."

Steph pulled the emergency cord.

"They were trying to get me out the bathroom, but I couldn't move," she said. "It was two pushes and he was out. I was in shock."

Proud father Mark, 23, said he could not believe how quickly it happened.

"It was manic," he said. "They put him in my arms, put Steph in a wheelchair and rushed her off."

Despite friends and family commenting they were lucky to have such a fast birth, Steph said: "It wasn't very nice at all. I didn't want it that quick. I was crying for a good hour afterwards because of all the emotions."

The couple, who are now settled back at home, are hoping to get married in due course. But there are no plans for any more children, with the pair saying their family is now complete.