There are not many women who can say their mother in law delivered their child!

With three weeks to go before my due date, I was relaxing in Binningup with John and Maria after finishing work. My labour came on with little notice and was all over very quickly.

Luckily for me, Maria's experience came to the fore. I couldn't have asked for a more calming, loving and knowledgeable lady by my side (so to speak!).

Maria was in control the whole time and even carried Benjamin out to the waiting ambulance and, later, swiftly took him back for another cuddle in the hospital.

I cannot repay what Maria did in that very short hour in August 1998 but I will always love her and thank her for bringing Ben safely into our world.

Mel Farnan