BATHTIME became birthtime for expectant mother Dawn Gatcum — and her quick-thinking husband Chris had to deliver their baby, Lottie.

Dawn had earlier been surprised to wake in the middle of the night with contractions almost three weeks before her due date.

The couple, who planned to have a home-birth anyway, called the midwife but the baby arrived before she could get there.

Dawn said: 'I went into labour at midnight but didn't realise until 1am. I was only having contractions every five minutes and wasn't in much pain. The midwife said she was on her way and I got into a warm bath to ease the achy pain.'

Dawn said she soon had a stronger and more painful contraction with an urge to push: 'I thought I had a while before the pushing stage but it came on really quickly.

'I tried to stop pushing as I didn't want Lottie to be born without the midwife. I felt pure panic and worry as I didn't want anything to go wrong.'

Chris called the hospital for some advice. Dawn said: 'They told him to keep calm and get some warm towels ready. Chris went and got the towels but by the time he came back minutes later, Lottie's head was out, quickly followed by her body. Chris lifted her out of the bath and covered her in towels to keep her warm until the midwife came.'

The midwife turned up ten minutes later and congratulated the couple for doing a great job.

Chris, a leading steward in the Royal Navy, said: 'I was in shock as I had only been awake about ten minutes before Dawn needed to push. I was worried because I didn't know if I was doing the right thing and if Lottie was going to have any problems.

'I am over the moon. I'd been away on a long deployment and after only being home for a couple of weeks, I didn't think I'd be delivering my baby girl.'

Lottie was born, at 5lbs 9ozs, healthy with no complications and is now settled with Dawn and Chris and their three other children.

Pictured:?Proud parents Dawn and Chris with newborn Lottie.