When Maggie Clark went into labour, her husband Michael also decided to take the plunge.

The 30-year-old welder felt he had to give his wife some moral support - and promptly jumped into the hospital delivery pool with her.

It's believed to be the first time that a father has taken the plunge at York District Hospital since the pool opened as a delivery facility last May.

The couple spent 11 hours in the pool, but unfortunately a "water baby" wasn't to be.

The baby boy was facing the wrong way round and finally had to be delivered by caesarean section - and yes, Michael was in the operating theatre as well to watch Matthew weigh in at 5lbs 15oz. Michael, of Woodville Terrace, Selby, said: "Maggie and I are very close and Matthew is our first child, so I decided to put some trunks on and give her some moral support.

"Maggie didn't want gas and air to relieve the pain because it was making her feel sick, but once she got in the pool the pain disappeared. I sat behind Maggie in the water so I could support her, and we did a lot of deep breathing together.

"She was in labour for nearly 18 hours and being in the pool together certainly helped her get through it.

"The midwife told me I was the first father to go into the birth pool."

Maggie, 30, said: "The pain stopped once I relaxed in the pool - it was incredible. Having Michael there was a great comfort and I was able to push back on him in the pool.

"I was also able to stay in the pool for regular internal examinations with the help of Michael who lifted me up on to his knees.

"I think Michael did more breathing than me during the contractions."

Maggie added: "The whole experience was amazing and I would recommend getting into the birth pool together to anyone."

Updated: 11:59 Monday, April 09, 2001