A NEW INN girl who made the Argus front page in 1997 when she was born on the bathroom floor after the midwife was stopped by police is turning 18 today.

Little Mia Gray was delivered by her grandma at home in a labour that lasted just eight minutes, but 18 years on, Mia’s mum said she “would not have changed anything about it”.

Mum Samantha Eaves, now 42, went into labour in the early hours of August 28 in 1997 at her mum’s house, but as the midwife raced to deliver the baby she was stopped by police.

Ms Eaves told the Argus yesterday: “It was the early hours of the morning and maybe she was speeding, but she was on her way and got stopped.

“By the time she got there Mia was already delivered.”

Ms Eaves’ said her mum Ruth Jones, now 66, was frightened about delivering Mia but she had to do it.

Ms Eaves said: “It was all a bit of a rush.

“My mum was really frightened; she was really worried about the umbilical cord and so was a bit wary of that bit”. 

Now 18 years later, Mia Gray is heading off to study psychology and criminology at the University of South Wales’ Pontypridd campus next month.

Mum Ms Eaves said: “Mia has done all of us proud. 

“She was such a good baby, possibly because she was born at home. She was nice and relaxed, and perhaps that was because she was born at home, not being in the hustle and bustle of the hospital. 

“I’m really proud that she’s going to university and having a better life at the end of it. 

“Her other grandma, Linda Sweet, has also been brilliant and has really helped to get her to uni.”

Asked whether she would have changed the birth if she could, Ms Eaves said: “I wouldn’t wish for it to be any different. 

“No, I think it’s lovely to have a baby at home.”

Ms Gray added: “I do tell quite a lot of people who are close to me the story of how I was born.

“I am proud of it, it’s something a bit different and I’m proud of my grandma for delivering me.”