Expectant fathers in North Devon are being given instructions on how to deliver babies at the roadside after the suspension of birthing services at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) left hundreds of pregnant women and their partners "terrified" of going into labour. Mums-to-be report that their midwife appointments now include emergency advice regarding roadside births.
Rosie Williams, who was due to give birth at NDDH, shared on Facebook what happened during her birth plan meeting. "[It] wasn't as I expected, and was heavily focused on giving enough time to get to hospital and my husband preparing 'just in case' to deliver the baby roadside," she wrote. "As a first-time mum, I'm pretty terrified."
Births suspended on safety grounds
Since 11th August, NDDH has suspended births on site on "safety grounds, because there is insufficient consultant and registrar cover". Around 300 women who are 34 weeks pregnant or more, plus patients considered high-risk, have been contacted to make alternative plans, according to a statement from the hospital. There is no update on when this "temporary" suspension will be lifted.
In the meantime, births will take place at The Royal Devon and Exeter hospital — a two-hour drive away for some — so the NHS is looking to prepare families for every eventuality. Fiona Gibb, Director of Midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, told Metro: "Where women have a long distance to travel to hospital, midwives may discuss what to do if labour progresses quicker than expected.
"This could include when to contact maternity services, when to travel to hospital and what to do while waiting for emergency support if a baby looks likely to arrive before they get there. This kind of contingency planning helps women and families know what to do in an unexpected situation, but it's not a substitute for professional maternity care. Women should be able to access the right care, from the right professionals, when they need it."
High-risk mothers speak out
Hannah Rolton, 37, who lives in Ilfracombe in North Devon and is currently 27 weeks into a high-risk pregnancy with her third child, told Metro: "I'm absolutely terrified, I'm sick over this loss of control. Following the right route that's best for baby and myself feels like it's been taken away and everything feels up in the air. I feel helpless."
Hannah is particularly worried after the birth of her second child Spencer in 2017, when she experienced an "obstetric emergency" because of shoulder dystocia. "His head was delivered but then his shoulder got stuck on my pubic bone, and we needed the intervention of the midwives to free him and save me," she explained. "It took them 11 minutes to free him and five minutes to resuscitate him in front of us, so it was pretty traumatic."
Hannah added that this pregnancy was a surprise because they weren't planning on having more kids due to their birthing experience, and she was meant to have a C-section at NDDH because the likelihood of another shoulder dystocia birth was high. "We now run the risk of spontaneous labour before and having to travel an hour and 40 minutes to Exeter on a good day, with that risk of having to give birth on the side of the road and not having that intervention team on hand to safely deliver the baby," she said. "Not to mention the A361 out of North Devon is a dual carriageway and is often closed for accidents or roadworks. So, this should be an enjoyable time, but it's stressful. Babies don't wait around, when they're ready to come, they're going to come."
Contingency planning for families
Catherine Mchomvu, CEO and antenatal teacher at Devon Antenatal Family Centre CIC in Barnstaple, told Metro every pregnant woman she's currently working with is affected in some way, and many are worried. "Women are thinking about what happens if labour progresses quickly, what it will be like travelling that distance while having strong contractions, when they should leave, what happens if traffic is particularly bad and where exactly they will be expected to go," she said.
Catherine has now woven in more "contingency planning" for women and their partners on what to do if labour progresses before they make it to hospital. "I can't scare monger but we need to be realistic, it could be a really high-risk situation for women," she added. "It would be irresponsible not to weave this in and I know midwives have been trying to prepare women, too."
Her sessions have expanded to involve information on "unexpectedly rapid labour or a baby arriving before reaching the intended maternity unit". "Some of it is really simple preparation," Catherine said. "We talk about having blankets and towels easily accessible, plenty of water, charged phones and chargers or power banks, keeping enough fuel in the car and having What3words available so emergency services can locate them accurately if necessary."
She also covered birthing positions for travelling and ones that reduce gravity if labour is progressing quickly. "Then there's the emergency information that hopefully nobody ever needs," she added. "Recognising signs birth may be imminent, stopping somewhere safe rather than simply continuing to drive, calling 999 and following the call handler's instructions. We also cover what a birth partner can practically do and the importance of keeping mum and baby warm while waiting for professional help."
Rather than painting it as a how-to on roadside births, Catherine says it's about giving families practical knowledge to reduce any fears they may have. This is especially true for first-time mums who have no way of estimating how their labour will unfold or how quickly it will progress. There's an additional uncertainty for first-time mothers because they have no previous labour to use as a reference point, as well as those like Hannah who are at greater risk.
"We've spoken about me going to stay nearer Exeter the week before, but I'd have to go on my own because we've got two older children, so then that runs the risk of my partner missing the birth of the baby if he can't get there in time," Hannah added.
Catherine wants to remind everyone that maternity professionals are working incredibly hard to keep women and babies safe in "extremely difficult circumstances".
Trust responds to concerns
A spokesperson for the National Childbirth Trust said that advice relating to labour, birth and emergency situations is provided by NHS maternity services and healthcare professionals. "The suspension of local birth services in North Devon is deeply concerning for pregnant women and expectant parents," they told Metro. "At a time when women should be focused on preparing to welcome a new baby, many will instead be facing uncertainty and anxiety about where they will give birth, longer journeys for care, and worries about the impact this could have on their pregnancy and birth experience.
"NCT continues to advocate for safe, accessible maternity services and meaningful choice for women, birthing people and parents. While birth services remain suspended, it is vital that women are listened to and fully involved in decisions that affect their care and the future restoration of local services. At a time of uncertainty, expectant parents need clear information, reassurance and timely support to help them make decisions about their care."
Catherine added: "I want women to know that, although their plans may have changed, they can still prepare positively for their birth, ask questions, understand their options and have some control over what happens next."
The Royal Devon NHS Trust told Metro that the care of women and birthing people remains its "absolute priority". "Those who are 34 weeks pregnant or more have been contacted by our maternity team and have discussed, or are discussing, their individual birth plans with their community midwife," it said. "Our advice is that if anyone thinks they may be in labour or has concerns about their pregnancy, they should contact our maternity triage service immediately, where a midwife will discuss their individual circumstances and provide advice tailored to their needs. If they think their baby is about to be born and they are not near the hospital, please call 999."
They added: "We have worked closely with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST) to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place should emergency care be required."
