Mother's anger as she has to travel to Heartlands to have baby girl
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Gina Ashford and baby Neve. 42.011.032.leam.nc1 www.buyphotos.com
19 October. Updated: 19 October 16:26
A BOROUGH mother said she endured a 'nightmare' pregnancy because she was not told until four days before she gave birth which hospital she would be sent to.
Gina Ashford, who lives less than one mile from Solihull Hospital, was told she would be giving birth at Heartlands Hospital on Monday, October 3, four days before she had her third child - a daughter called Neve - despite previously being told she was a low risk patient.
The situation follows the controversial decision to axe full maternity services in Solihull and replace them with a midwfie-led unit for only the lowest risk - around one in four - births while the rest of the expectant mums are forced to travel to hospitals outside the borough.
Mrs Ashford said she had discussions throughout her pregnancy with staff and she expected to go to Solihull Hospital but was never given anything in writing indicating where she would be going.
Even though she has had and beaten breast cancer Mrs Ashford was still led to believe she was a low risk pregnancy and would be allowed to have her baby at Solihull.
"I went through the questions with a health and safety risk assessment and they said I was a low risk patient and should be at Solihull," she said.
"I was waiting for months to have it confirmed that I would be able to have my baby at Solihull - but then just four days before giving birth they dropped that on me.
"I wanted to have my baby at Solihull.
"Being sent to Heartlands made the whole thing a nightmare for me - especially as I had previously been told that because of my cancer I may not be able to have another child."
A spokeswoman for the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust said risk assessments are carried out throughout pregnancy and each woman is involved in deciding which hospital she will be attending.
Joy Payne, head of midwifery, said: "Our midwives are committed to providing safe and quality care to the women we see and treat.
"Pregnant ladies are assessed throughout their pregnancy and this can mean that a woman who was considered a low risk can be deemed a high risk, if for example problems arise.
"At all times the past medical history of a woman is taken into consideration. This ensures that women are treated at the best place possible for them and their babies' safety.
"We would like to apologise to Mrs Ashford for any inconvenience caused and are investigating the issues she has raised. Due to patient confidentiality we cannot comment on the treatment of any one patient."
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