Kerry Woodcock learned many lessons in life when working in remote African villages.

She especially remembered a woman giving birth with no screaming or shouting. She knew that when the time came a natural birth was for her.

Now Kerry, 28, from Utley, has become the first woman in Britain to give birth naturally using a hypnotherapy technique developed in America.

Her daughter Lana Beth was born, weighing 8lb 12oz, after a 24-hour pain-free labour.

Kerry, who lives in London with her partner Rupert, says: "When I became pregnant I didn't want to use drugs or have an epidural.

"I just couldn't understand why anything so natural should hurt so much."

She adds: "I lived in Africa for some years. While I was working for a forest conservation group in a remote village in Tanzania I saw something wonderful.

"An old lady came out of a mud hut with a newborn baby. I hadn't heard any screaming or shouting beforehand. I was keen for a similar natural birth myself."

Kerry met a clinical hypotherapist who explained HypnoBirthing was a way of preparing the mind and body for childbirth.

"It didn't guarantee the birth would be pain-free, but it would help me manage the pain, and could eliminate it," she says.

"I was sceptical at first - but it was wonderful. I reckon breaking a leg would have been more painful than having a baby.

"When you are hypnotised you're not in any weird state. You feel completely relaxed"

Kerry and Rupert went to just four HypnoBirth sessions - fine-tuning the techniques at home. Kerry went into labour two weeks after her due date.

Women all over the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe use similar techniques to help them enjoy analgesic-free births.

Adds Kerry: "I would definitely opt to have the same type of birth again."

Her dad John, an athletics coach, and mum Angela, at home in Utley are equally delighted.

Says John: "For me it's just marvellous to have a granddaughter."