A Moray mum gave birth in the back of an ambulance on the A96 due to a lack of maternity services in the area.
Hannah Smith was sent to Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, which is around 60 miles away from her home in Buckie, despite living less than half an hour from Dr Gray’s hospital in Elgin.
The 39-year-old, who may have required an emergency C-section, was advised to deliver her baby at a hospital with full consultant-led maternity services.
Around 6am on the morning of her birth, Hannah’s parents began driving the one hour and 40 minute journey to Aberdeen to get her to hospital.
STV NewsAfter contacting maternity triage, they were then met by an ambulance in Keith for the rest of the journey.
But just one mile into the journey, Hannah knew baby Braeson was coming and she gave birth in the emergency vehicle near a farm track just off the A96.
She told STV News: “We only got a mile outside of Keith and the paramedic who checked me said everything’s okay and I said no, it’s coming. I could feel it.
“I could feel his head and I said no, he’s coming and the next contraction he just came out. She shouted through to the driver to find the nearest safe place to pull over.
She added: “A lot of people think because it was in the back of an ambulance it would be hard, but it was quick and a lot easier than my first birth. It was not what I was expecting, but I’m glad.
“The paramedics were fantastic; they calmed me down a lot. While we were in the car, I was panicked. It wasn’t their first roadside birth.”
SuppliedHannah said the decision was made for her to give birth in Aberdeen, as Braeson was conceived by IVF and her firstborn child was delivered by an emergency C-section.
She added: “It’s a shame that level of care isn’t available in Elgin. I find that really frustrating because with my firstborn I transferred to Elgin about four days after his birth and the level of care was fantastic.
“It felt more personal. The care that they do provide, as understaffed as it is, I thought was exceptional.
“I feel like maternity care across the North East is just getting pushed further and further down the list of priorities. It’s not fair on the mothers who are pregnant, expecting or trying to conceive.”
STV NewsEarlier this month, it was confirmed the return of full maternity services at Dr Gray’s has been delayed, eight years after they were downgraded.
Complete maternity services at the hospital were downgraded to a midwife-led service in 2018 due to staff shortages.
NHS Grampian had set a target to fully restore consultant-led maternity services by the end of this year.
However, health bosses have admitted the goal was “ambitious”, and it will instead be implemented “as soon as is safely possible” next year.
NHS Grampian, offering its apology to Hannah and her family, said: “We want as many women in Moray as possible to have the choice of giving birth at Dr Gray’s.
“This type of experience only reaffirms our determination to deliver that as soon as safely possible.
“For some women and babies, the specialist care available in Aberdeen means that planning to give birth there will always be the safest option.”
Maternity services review announced by Scottish Government
Scottish health secretary Angela Constance announced that an independent review into Scottish maternity services has begun.
Chaired by maternal and child health expert Professor Christine McCourt, the nationwide review, which is expected to take nine months, will examine how maternity services can better meet the needs of women, including in rural and island communities.
The minister previously promised the findings would result in “real and tangible change” for women and their families.
Constance said she wants every woman and baby to receive the high-quality care they deserve.
“That is why I announced this independent review, which will sit alongside the inspections already under way of every acute maternity unit in Scotland, to identify the systemic changes needed to strengthen services and improve outcomes.
“While the vast majority of mothers receive good care, I have heard from families who were let down, and from those who have bravely shared their experiences of loss – these are powerful stories. Their experiences must shape improvement.”
The Scottish Government said the independent review will draw on data, evidence and the direct experiences of women, families and staff at every level of care.
It will pay particular attention to how care is provided in rural and island communities, including in Caithness, Wigtownshire and Elgin.
It will also examine disparities in outcomes, including higher rates of maternal mortality among black and Asian women.
Prof McCourt, who leads the Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research at the University of London, added: “The review team is committed to engaging with women, families, healthcare staff and organisations across Scotland to understand both the challenges facing maternity services and the examples of excellent care that can inform future improvements.
“We want to hear from people with a wide range of experiences and perspectives. We encourage anyone with relevant insights to visit the website, learn more about the review and engage with the process as our work progresses.”
Constance said the Government will continue to take action to improve services while the review is under way.
She added that Healthcare Improvement Scotland will continue its programme of maternity inspections to drive improvement locally in every acute maternity unit in Scotland, and to inform the review.
Prof McCourt is due to submit her findings and recommendations to the Scottish Government next July.
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