"MY DAY begins when I get up about 7.30am and I start work at my computer. My husband Alasdair gets up first, then my eldest son Calum, and then I get up. We have breakfast together. My youngest Fergus gets up later and he fends for himself. By 9am, when boys are at school, I start answering emails.

My first appointment is normally at 10am, depending on where the client lives. We spend the majority of time discussing the woman's fears because they have questions about the practicalities of a home birth and how to cope with labour. For a pregnant woman the fear of the unknown is hardest to deal with and they need somebody to talk to.

Most antenatal examinations last 10 minutes - to test urine, blood-pressure and feel the abdomen to find which way the baby is facing. But the fact is everybody's different; some people are more emotional than others so deal with birth differently. My appointments usually last 45 minutes.

I am one of just six independent midwives in Scotland and I will have approximately 11 clients this year, at a charge of £2500. I have been living and breathing the campaign to save independent midwifery for the past four weeks. The government is intending to make Professional Indemnity Insurance compulsory, but as this is not available to independent midwives it will mean the end of our ability to practise.

Yet this kind of continuity of care has been proven to reduce caesarean section rates, lessen the need for pain relief and provide higher satisfaction rates.

I know we are viewed by some senior midwives as mavericks, but we are under more scrutiny than your average NHS midwife.

I'll never say never to anything; I've been to a complementary therapist with clients, but will use ibuprofen and calpol, too. I don't believe births are a mechanical event. The birth process also has an emotional and spiritual aspect to it; a mother is giving birth to a whole new aspect of herself.

It gets up some professional noses that we are there as a servant to women. But I'm aware I have my professional role too; it's a mutual respect thing. I get photographs of children I have delivered, in their first school uniform and sometimes years later there is still a connection.

But I've had hurdles to overcome. For example, the insurance issue and charging for my services. Because I'm a good Scottish socialist, the thought of having to charge for something I think should be free for all women sticks in my craw. I value my service, yet think what we offer should be available to all women.

The benefits of an independent midwife is that we have the luxury of time; I work on a relationship of trust and honesty, which is what counts in the end. But I don't think I'm better than an NHS midwife.

I qualified in 1988 spending a year in a London hospital and then seven years as a community midwife.

We moved back to Glasgow after having our first child and my goal was to become independent because I knew there was no such thing as team midwifery' here.

To be an independent midwife with children you must have bomb-proof childcare and a very tolerant partner. I have a family-friendly approach, so during the holidays, if the clients are willing, the boys can come to antenatal appointments. Calum said he's proud of me being an independent midwife. A happy mum makes for a happy family because I love what I do.

Obviously, for births I can get called out at any hour and they can last any amount of time. I usually have a few appointments a day and two days a week the boys are in after-school care so I can go further afield. But other days I have to be back about 3pm for Fergus and have to manage my job with our activities of choir, violin, cubs and scouts.

My husband has only ever known me as a midwife, but the kids have to be very understanding about my busy life. But we make a point of always trying to sit round the table on a Sunday for dinner.

I don't usually get the chance to watch television until after 9pm, but when I do my favourite programme is Battlestar Galactica. I'm a big science fiction fan and I met my husband at a convention. I used to think getting to bed by midnight was early although now I make sure I'm there by 11.30pm. I suppose the only time I actually switch off is when I go away, but it is my personal belief that midwifery isn't just a job.

I think it is a calling; I believe there are midwives and then there are people who do midwifery."

INTERVIEW: KIRSTY ROARTY PORTRAIT: IAN MACNICOL For more information on the campaign, check out the website www.saveindependentmidwifery.org