FOR A Criftins farmer, usually bringing a newborn into the world involves four legs and a tail, with a loud moo at the end.

But for Rob Manford on May 29, it was ever-so-slightly different as the 34-year-old farmer was forced to deliver his own daughter Isobel at the home he shares with daughter Harriet, four, and wife Emma, 30, after she went into labour.

With an ambulance unable to get to their home within 45 minutes, Rob wanted to take Emma to hospital by car, but quickly abandoned plans when he saw his wife was ready to go far quicker than expected.

And he admitted his calving background was not enough to equip him with all the skills needed to deliver a newborn child, but is proud of his and Emma's joint efforts.

"My 12 minutes of hard work completely overshadowed the nine months before by Emma," said Rob.

"This is the first human baby I've delivered but it's our second child together, though having gone through the process before didn't help, no.

"There was a bit of panic as Emma wouldn't get in the car, and it dawned on me that I was going to have to do this when she said ring an ambulance.

"The ambulance took 45 minutes and the little one took 12 minutes.

"I'm not sure delivering calves was much of a background for me to deliver her – the calving aid didn't fit like it does a cow."

Rob played a dual role in the birth – as midwife and husband – and admits it was difficult to balance the two once Emma was in the middle of labour.

However, he insists he knew exactly when he could breathe a little easier.

He added: "Emma was in a world of her own which was probably the most difficult bit.

"You could tell she was in a lot of pain and while I was playing midwife, I had to be her husband too and keep her calm.

"I can still hear the first cry [from Isobel] and that gave me huge relief of 'thank God, she's alright'.

"The most worrying thing was that I had a living baby to pull out with no help about. Isobel was fine and calm once she was out – we waited for the midwives to come and they clamped the cord, which is apparently what you're supposed to do.

"This is something in this modern day that living a rural life comes with."