FOR some people, exchanges with neighbours are kept to a curt nod while picking up the milk or a brief wave while putting the cat out.

But life in Chapel Lane, Littlemore, is very different.

Neighbours – and best friends – Ellie Payne and Paul McSporran and Jodie and Nathan Lamb are so close to their next-door neighbour Heather Bower they asked her to deliver their children.

The community midwife moved to the street eight years ago.

As soon as Mrs Lamb met the home birthing expert, herself a mother-of-two, she made her promise to deliver her children should she ever have any.

Not only did Ms Bower keep her promise and stand by Mrs Lamb through the delivery of her boys Ralf, two, and Lenny, 11 months, she also delivered Ms Payne’s daughter Carrigan McSporran two weeks ago.

She has also helped out with the delivery of countless other children in the Littlemore area.

Mrs Lamb, 34, had planned home births for both of her sons, but due to last-minute complications was taken to hospital.

But she said the help she had from her neighbour during the 24-hour labour and eventual delivery was invaluable.

She said: “The first time I met Heather when I moved to the street five years ago I asked her to be my midwife when I had my babies. It didn’t go exactly as planned.

“But it’s just lovely to have a familiar face and someone you know and love there all the way through.”

When Ms Payne, 37, gave birth two weeks ago, also at home under the care of Ms Bower, Mrs Lamb said she could hear the labour through the walls of her bedroom.

She said: “I gave up trying to sleep and for the last hour I just sat up and listened.

“It was quite emotional.”

Once little Carrigan was born, the three families, including Mrs Bower’s own two children, all joined Ms Payne on the bed and tucked into a well-deserved bacon sandwich.

The friends, whose partners have also been best friends since going to St Andrew’s Primary School in Headington together, said they would not have changed the experience for the world, and spoke out to encourage other women to consider home birthing.

Ms Payne said: “We’re all very close as a result.

“We are just one big extended crazy family.”

Ms Bower said: “It was an amazing experience.

“It’s such a special thing to be able to do for friends.”