By Susan Sandys  September 7 2010

Toni James was in labour at Ashburton Hospital when the 4.35am Canterbury earthquake struck on Saturday.

"If I hadn't of been in that situation I would have freaked out, but I was completely pre-occupied," Mrs James said.

She could not have been more pre-occupied, having been in the middle of a contraction in the hospital's birthing pool.

The hospital shook and the water in the birthing pool swished from side to side.

"To me it felt like the actual pool was moving," Mrs James said.

Fifty-nine minutes later little Isabeau Marie James was born, weighing eight pounds four ounces. "It was a little unnerving but to be honest we had bigger things on our mind," Mr James said of the 7.1 magnitude earthquake.

They were grateful to midwife Jacquie Wylie who kept a clear head and moved loose items from around the room to ensure they did not fall.

They will keep newspapers from the weekend to show their daughter.

"All my announcements I texted out were Issie was born in an earthquake," Mr James said.

The couple were relieved the birth could be at the hospital, as Christchurch facilities were under pressure. A record 21 babies were born at Christchurch Women's in the 24 hours following the quake, making it the hospital's most prolific Saturday.