Home-birth baby for Davina McCall

'... everything went smoothly' said the spokeswoman for Big Brother presenter Davina, who gave birth to baby boy Chester on 15 September, weighing in at an eye-popping 10lb 2oz.

McCall and her husband Matthew Robertson are said to be 'delighted' at the arrival of Chester via a natural home birth. The baby, rumoured to have been due on 18 August - the last night of Big Brother 2006 - is brother to Holly (four) and Tilly (two). All three of Davina and Matthew's children were delivered by midwife Pam Wild.

Home birth is gaining popularity in the UK, but is it safe? The National Birthday Trust Report (1997), probably the most comprehensive study of home birth ever undertaken in the UK, found that 94.7% of planned home births (including transfers) resulted in spontaneous vaginal delivery whereas this was the outcome for only 90.2% of planned hospital births. Incidence of assisted births using forceps or a ventouse was 2.4% at home and 5.4% in hospital, with Caesareans at 2.0% (home) and 4.1% (hospital). However, it should be borne in mind that home birth is not usually recommended when complications are foreseen.

Every woman in the UK has the legal right to a home birth but local Health Authorities do not necessarily have an obligation to provide a home birth service in the form of an attending midwife.

However, an independent midwife in south-east England charges around £2,300 for maternity care (insured midwives will charge from £4,500). A private clinic, such as the Birth Centre in London, lists the cost of 'The Birth Centre New Family Package' as £4,925 on its website.

So if you're a high-profile celeb and fancy splashing out on a home birth, the sky's the limit. It's terribly posh to push!

PS Big Brother fascinating fact: Apparently the title sequence for this year's show contained hidden words, which are clearer when watched in slow motion. One secret phrase was 'Not for transmission' - perhaps good advice given the programme's mixed reception!

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