If a woman knows what a piece of equipment is for and how it works, she is less likely to freak out when it is wheeled towards her

Sarah Stone, motherandbaby.co.uk

Nine out of 10 said they intended to have their baby in hospital because they feel it is a safer environment.

The website has launched a virtual reality delivery suite to help women to allay their fears.

It allows women to take a virtual tour of a suite, birthing pool room, special care baby unit and an operating theatre.

The tour was filmed at Eastbourne District Hospital and at the Crowborough Birthing Centre in Sussex.

Sarah Stone, editor of the website, said women needed to be informed about what will happen when they give birth.

"It is no longer realistic to pretend the majority of women are going to cope with the birth situation with a special breathing technique and a beanbag.

"They should be able to fully understand the procedures of hospital birth before stepping foot in the building.

"If a woman knows what a piece of equipment is for and how it works, she is less likely to freak out when it is wheeled towards her," she said.

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust, said a study carried out by the charity had come up with similar findings.

"Our study found that women were afraid of many different aspects of the birth. If all these things were put together then they would add up to women being very worried."

She said the NCT receives many calls from women worried about giving birth.