Mum back in class five hours after giving birth

Lissa Mansell surprised everyone when she arrived at her computer class with newborn daughter Leslee. Photo / Stuart Munro

Wanganui mum Lissa Mansell was not going to let a little thing like having a baby stop her from attending her computer class.

So she turned up at Tawhero School just five hours after giving birth to daughter Leslee.

"I had to take my daughter Shelby to kindergarten anyway so I thought I may as well come to class rather than miss out on learning."

Leslee was born at home at 4.50am yesterday, weighing in at 7lb 11oz (3.22kg) after what her mother described as a "good but painful" labour.

"She was four days overdue and the contractions started at about 5 o'clock yesterday (Monday) - I had stuff to do so I just carried on with it."

Ms Mansell 28, said the last stage of labour was intense and she vaguely recalled chewing on her partner's face towards the end of it.

"I didn't realise I was doing it until he said 'ouch' and I had to find something else to bite on."

The dad was sleeping off his ordeal while his partner carried on her Computers in Homes class with Leslee in attendance.

"She seems like a very relaxed little baby," said Tawhero principal Chris Dibben "she must take after her mum".

Leslee is Ms Mansell's third baby - her daughter Sussy is a student at Wanganui Intermediate and her partner also has three children.

"We now have six between us and that is enough - I'm delighted with this wee girl but I want [to] get ahead with my studies and I think it's great for my children to see me learning new skills."

Ms Mansell said the children were delighted to wake to the sound of a new baby, and her fellow students were pleased and surprised to welcome Leslee to class.

Computers in Homes is at-school study for families. On completion and getting qualifications, students are given a recycled home PC.