Incredible images show a mother delivering her OWN newborn via caesarean section

Sarah Downs will never forget the moment she delivered her own baby via caesarean section.

With the help of her doctor, the Queensland mother lifted her daughter out of her womb and pulled her straight on to her chest.

The first time mum revealed she was unable to give birth naturally, and a maternal-assisted caesarean made her birthing experience more personal.

'I wanted to have a more personal experience,' Ms Downs told Daily Mail Australia.

'Why wouldn't you want to be the one that pulls the baby from your womb? Being able to deliver your own baby and be the first person to hold her was incredible.

'A couple of pushes on the stomach and the head was out and that was all done by the obstetrician.

'Then I pulled her up to my chest. I was so excited to meet her. It was the best thing I've ever done.

'Oh my goodness, it's hard to describe the moment I held her in my hands. I just had this whole rush of emotions going through me. I started crying tears of joy.'

The 31-year-old young mother had planned the birth with her obstetrician Dr Shiri Dutt.

'I remember seeing a write-up by my obstetrician in the local newspaper so when I went down for one of my appointments, I asked him if I could do it,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'He was really excited about it and so I did more research. I guess it inspired me even more when I found out it was more of a personal delivery. I really had my heart set on it.

'I felt that I shouldn't be excluded from my child's birth. It should right as a woman to choose what I want to do during my child's birth. It shouldn't be judged or looked upon differently.'

This is the fifth time Dr Dutt, who works at John Flynn Private Hospital on the Gold Coast, has orchestrated a maternal-assisted caesarean.

Dr Dutt told A Current Affair the look on the mother's faces as they deliver their baby is simply 'priceless'.

Before the birth, Ms Downs underwent counselling and training and was provided with information to ensure she was prepared.

'My obstetrician basically counselled me through the whole process, leading up to my pregnancy,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'We did practice rounds during my appointments and then basically had my interview at the hospital so before I got there, I knew what to expect, what to do at every step of the way.'

On the day, she sterilised her hands and put on scrubs so she could assist with the birth.

Unlike a regular caesarean where a curtain is placed to obstruct the view, a maternal-assisted caesareans gives mothers a full view of the birth.

While the birthing option has risen in popularity, Dr Dutt said not all women would be able to experience the hands-on birth.

If the baby is too big or small,  if there any other medical issues or if the placenta is in the wrong place the procedure would not be suitable.

'I highly recommend the procedure to other mothers,' Ms Downs said, whose daughter Tenasi is now 14 weeks old.

'Not every person could have the procedure. But if you have an obstetrician who is confident enough to do the procedure - because some are against it - then definitely go for it.

'Hopefully my story will inspire other mothers in my situation to give it a go. If I was going to have another child, I would definitely do it again.'

Another Queensland mother, Kingscliffe's Jane Prichard, also delivered her son via maternal-assisted caesarean.

Mrs Prichard also had the assistance of Dr Dutt at John Flynn Private Hospital, and previously told Daily Mail Australia she 'struggled to find the words' to describe the experience.

‘I was crying well before they cut me open, it was very emotional,’ she said.

'‘With this sort of delivery I was able to get almost everything you get in a vaginal birth with a caesarean section.’

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter