A FATHER whose partner went through Wyre Forest's first home water birth has hailed the experience as better for parents and baby.

Charles Tibbetts, 41, and his 27-year-old partner Zoe Guck are now the proud parents of baby Kaya Crystal. She was born underwater on Mothering Sunday in a specially designed pool assembled in the dining room of the couple's Kidderminster home. Zoe Guck and Charles Tibbetts with newborn Kaya Crystal.

The birth, supervised by two midwives in an environment supposed to "recreate the situation in the womb" was so successful that Mr Tibbetts, of Stourbridge Road is keen to recommend the benefits of the unorthodox delivery to other prospective parents.

"It's a very natural way of giving birth. Water birth is a pain relief for the mother and the baby is more comfortable," he said.

"It was homeopathic - there were no drugs, just a bit of gas. The baby is born into the same environment as the womb - the water is heated to 37C - and can choose when to take its first breath. It's less traumatic."

Mr Tibbetts added: "The pools are oval shaped and the mother can move around and get in the position she wants and I was so involved because I was supporting her."

Mother Zoe Guck said: "I always think a lot of emphasis is put on the mother when she is giving birth and a lot of people forget about the baby - it's very traumatic for them too.

"I want to think of the baby entering something they already know. I wanted to be in my own environment and it was really quick for a first birth. I knew nothing would go wrong and nothing did."

Mr Tibbetts added the couple's experience was now in demand after Kaya Crystal arrived on time, weighing a healthy 7lb 2oz.

"We were invited along to a training class for midwives to put our knowledge to use. We want to say thank you to them."

Kidderminster Hospital has received funding for a pool for water births. Mandy Gayne, a community midwife who was present at Kaya Crystal's birth said: "Hopefully the pool will be installed in the very near future. Water births are something more and more mums are requesting. All the evidence says it's just as safe providing you follow the correct protocol."

Anyone interested in water births can contact Mr Tibbetts on 01562 744117.