Thursday 6 October 2022 01:04 PM Home birth: Mother reveals she gave birth on her sofa and because her local ... trends now

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A mother was forced to give birth on her sofa with just two paracetamol because her local NHS hospital was too full, she claims.

Eilish McKinney, from Nassington, Northamptonshire, had planned to go to Peterborough City Hospital when her waters broke on October 20.

She and her fiance Tom Blackman, a commercial sales associate, phoned the hospital who told them its maternity unit was full.

The couple, who have a two-year-old son, Monty, were told to wait for the hospital to call back with a plan. 

After 40 minutes, they were instructed to travel 35 miles (56km) to Leicester Hospital, in a journey that would have taken around an hour.

Miss McKinney was trying not to push at this point and the couple decided to go for an impromptu home birth without the help of a midwife.

Despite facing 'sheer panic', their son Persy — short for Perseus — was born safe and well at the home. 

Miss McKinney had to check he was breathing while Mr Blackman made sure she was not bleeding excessively.

Her 'nightmare' case came just five days before another pregnant woman was made to travel 40 miles to give birth because the same hospital turned her away.