Former Hear’Say singer Suzanne Shaw says she is feeling happy and relaxed as she awaits the birth of her second child in October.

Positively blooming, Suzanne exudes confidence on her first appointment at the Woodchurch home of midwife Virginia Howes.

Virginia, 56, has delivered all six of her own grandchildren, and her reputation as a pioneer of natural birth had reached Suzanne’s ears.

The actress and TV personality lives more than 100 miles away in Buckinghamshire, but she learnt about independent midwifery – and Virginia’s services – after talking to industry acquaintances.

Suzanne, 33, is determined to avoid all the medical intervention she had when she gave birth to son Corey in 2004, her child with Darren Day.

Darren was playing Buttons in Cinderella at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford, in December, 2004, when Corey arrived at Darent Valley Hospital.

After a 20-hour labour, Suzanne resorted to an epidural because she could no longer take the pain.

She said: “Giving birth was an unpleasant experience, but I thought that was just the norm before I found out about how different it could be with an independent midwife.

“Virginia is offering such a brilliant service and she makes you feel really special, not like you are on a conveyor belt. Giving birth is such an intimate, personal experience that you want to have the best care.”

Suzanne’s fiance Sam Greenfield is behind the no-tech birth of the couple’s first child. The sex of the baby will be a surprise and possible names are being kept under wraps too.

Suzanne insists she is not critical of the NHS, but said that inevitably maternity services are geared to “getting women in and out of the door as quickly” and “ticking boxes”, which depersonalised the experience.

The 33-year-old is using hypnotherapy to help the birth. She said: “It’s basically a form of meditation and helps induce a positive state of mind.”

Virginia, who used to live at Repton Park, Ashford, and who has shared her experience in a book, The Baby’s Coming, said: “Suzanne is flying the flag for everyday women by championing natural birth and it is a pleasure to look after her.”

She said that having the same midwife was vital for women to approach giving birth with confidence and that women should invest in an independent midwife, just as they would save for their wedding day.

Suzanne, who stayed at the King’s Head in Wye after her check-up with Virginia, and visited Port Lympne wild animal park with Sam and Corey, said: “I feel a lot more relaxed about giving birth and I’m not worried. I will take it all in my stride – I’m ready for it.”

Suzanne Shaw rose to fame after winning the ITV show Popstars in 2001 as part of the group Hear’Say.

“Suzanne is flying the flag for everyday women by championing natural birth" - Virginia Howes

Their debut single Pure and Simple was the fastest selling non-charitable record ever, selling 1.3 million copies.

The group had two number one singles and a number one arena tour before splitting up in 2002.

Since then, Suzanne has appeared in musical theatre and had a leading role in the remake of Summer Holiday in the West End and on tour.

She was the narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the West End, Roxy Hart in Chicago, has appeared in panto and was in The Rocky Horror Show.

She has also appeared on television in programmes including Britain’s Worst Celebrity Driver, The Court, Loose Women, Holby City and The Bill.