A COUPLE wet their baby daughter's head as soon as she was born - when an expectant mother unexpectedly gave birth in the bath.

Simon Ramsey, 23, and wife Samantha, 20, had an unintended water birth when baby Millie Grace made her first appearance earlier than expected.

Seeking to ease her contraction pains after her waters broke, Mrs Ramsey got into the bath, while her husband called a midwife.

To their amazement, their baby's head appeared after just one push – and after a second push she was born.

Paramedics arrived minutes later at their home in Tantobie, near Stanley, County Durham, to cut the umbilical cord.

Millie weighed in at a healthy 8lb at the University Hospital of North Durham. Mr Ramsey said: “It was a thrill - a privilege to be able to help in the birth of my daughter.”

The drama unfolded last Thursday when Mrs Ramsey woke up with “niggly pains”. She never thought any more it, but her waters broke after Simon had left for work.

She said: “I texted him to come home as soon as possible.

“When he got home I got into the bath to ease the pain, while he rang the hospital.

"As Simon spoke to the midwife I had a bad pain and pushed and could see the head coming out.

“Simon told me the midwife had said I should give a big push when I had another contraction.

“I pushed again and the baby came out. It was absolutely amazed. I was so excited. Simon was so calm.”

Mr Ramsey said: “When I saw the baby’s head come out under the water I tried to remain calm. I knew that if I panicked something could go wrong.

“With the midwife giving me advice, I had the phone in one hand and was guiding the baby with the other.

“The baby came out after the second push I picked her up wrapped her in a towel and placed her on Samantha’s chest.”

The couple, who also have an 11-month-old son Leon, were instructed to keep the baby under the water until paramedics arrived.