Loose Women panellist Stacey Soloman spoke out against the 'pressure' on mums-to-be to opt for a Meghan Markle-style birth.
Stacey, who is pregnant with her third child, admitted that she was going to 'do what it takes' when it came to pain relief during the birth.
'I think there is a pressure on mums to have a natural delivery, or have pain relief or not have pain relief, but I don't feel that pressure at all,' she told The Mirror. 'You're about to push a human out your vagina – do what it takes!'
Meghan Markle's reported plans for a natural home birth have inspired many mums-to-be, but they came under fire at a gynaecology and obstetrics conference in America this weekend.
'Meghan Markle has decided she's going to have a doula and a willow tree... let's see how that goes,' joked Dr Timothy Draycott, who is a professor at the University of Bristol and an envoy for the Royal College of Gynaecology. 'She's 37, first birth... I don't know. We'll have to see.'
Stacey has two sons from a previous relationship, but this will be her first child with partner Joe Swash. And giving birth before has made Stacey 'apprehensive' about giving birth naturally. 'I remember labour,' she explained. 'I'm not one of those people who managed to forget it or block it out. If I'm completely honest, I'll take painkillers if I need them.'
Stacey's first son, Leighton, was born so quickly that the first-time-mum didn't have time for pain relief, but she was given gas and air to help her through a traumatic 72-hour labour with second son Zach. And her experiences with it have made her wary.
'I'll maybe give gas and air a go but I'm such a control freak I'm super scared of anything that makes me feel out of control,' she admitted.
'It almost makes your head a bit fuzzy but the pain is still there and you're less able to do anything about it.'
Stacey has been refreshingly open about her pregnancy experience. Last month, she took to Instagram to share a picture of her 'furry' baby bump.
'I’m just so fascinated as to why this happens? What does it mean? Is it to keep the Furby warm?' she asked her followers. Many fans rushed to assure her that it was 'just a hormonal thing' while others suggested it could mean she was having a boy, although Coleen Nolan seemed to suggest she was having a girl back in March.
We can't wait to find out...
