I would like to appeal to readers who are expecting babies to seriously consider a natural home birth.

Recently, I gave birth to our second son at home, with no intervention except encouragement from my husband and the wonderful Brighton community midwives.

We are so pleased we opted for home births. Both our babies were born in a personal, relaxed and homely environment with no "visiting hours" or "scary equipment" around them.

My birth was straightforward (although very painful) and my labour lasted just nine hours, most of which I spent bouncing on a gym ball.

Brighton has the highest rate of home births in the country - eight per cent as opposed to the national average of two per cent.

Home births are encouraged here in Brighton at the hospital ante-natal classes and full support is provided.

The midwives are friendly and professional and, if there are any complications, you will be ambulanced straight to hospital.

I would like to say a big thank you to the community midwives who help to make home births such a wonderful experience.

So if you are undecided about a home birth, remember that women are designed to cope with natural childbirth so you can do it.

-Kat Macmillan, Brighton vegan mum, Brighton