A woman who was preparing to serve up a lamb curry at a dinner party had a baby in eight minutes, while her main course was simmering on the hob.
Eight months pregnant Susannah Kendrick said she felt a contraction while cooking and went to phone the hospital.
Minutes later, the Brighton woman, aged 29, had given birth to a daughter, her third child, helped by husband Paul.
The former teacher said she and her guests were "joking that curry induces labour" when the contractions started.
She said: "We had invited people round for dinner and they arrived about seven thirty, and there I was just cooking a curry.
"Susannah is the most phenomenal cook... but we did get a bit more than we bargained for"
"As I was cooking the curry, suddenly I thought 'that feels a bit funny', so I went to phone the hospital.
"I wasn't in any pain but I just thought I'd better get some advice."
Midwives at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton advised her to go to the hospital.
Mrs Kendrick said she left the food on the hob, and put her shoes on, but then a big contraction came, which is when her husband arrived to help.
Emergency call
Estate agent Mr Kendrick, 36, told BBC South East Today: "I can't believe Susannah gave birth so quickly.
"I ran upstairs and asked if Susannah was okay, and she said she'd just had a massive contraction.
"I had to get her on the bed, and to cut a short story shorter, it was two more contractions later."
Dinner party guest Anna Harrap dialled 999 and relayed instructions from the operator to Mr Kendrick who delivered 6lb 1oz baby Trinity on 10 August.
She said: "Susannah is the most phenomenal cook, so we're always really pleased at the opportunity to come and eat, but we did get a bit more than we bargained for."
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