A MUM has relived the moment she gave birth on her sofa with just two paracetamols to see her through.
Eilish McKinney said her "worst nightmare" became reality after doctors at Peterborough City Hospital said they had no room for her.
In labour, the mum-of-two was told to go to Leicester Hospital - an hour's drive from the couple's home in Nassington, Northamptonshire.
Recalling the events from September 20, Eilish told the BBC: "At that instant, I'd never felt so sick in all my life as that sheer panic goes through you."
With time running out and "trying hard not to push", Eilish decided to give birth on the living room sofa with partner Tom Blackman by her side.
"This baby is actually going to be born at home. This is my worst nightmare", she recalled feeling.
Tom had called the paramedics but it was down to the couple to deliver the new-born themselves.
Amid the chaos Eilish was checking her new-born's breathing.
While Tom desperately checked to make sure she wasn't excessively bleeding.
Incredibly, little Persy was born safe and well and paramedics arrived and ten minutes later.
"She did this with just two paracetamol," Tom revealed, adding how "astonishing" his partner was throughout the ordeal.
Eilish admitted she thought it was a "joke" when doctors told her to drive 35 miles to Leicester.
Meanwhile partner Tom slammed the hospital for letting the pair down.
North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust said it was sorry to hear the birth did not go to plan.
Chief nurse Jo Bennis added: "The safety of babies and parents is an absolute priority for us.
"And occasionally it is sometimes necessary to ask mothers to use alternative maternity units should ours reach capacity."
