A woman claims she was forced to give birth on her living room floor on Christmas Day after a hospital turned her away three times. The baby later died.

Gemma White was five months pregnant when her parents delivered the boy at the family home in Bentley near Doncaster, South Yorkshire. They rushed him to Doncaster Royal Infirmary but he died three hours later.

Gemma White tells of her ordeal

Ms White, 21, went to Doncaster Royal Infirmary last week complaining of stomach pains. She says the hospital told her she had an infection and sent her home with some antibiotics. After finally being admitted to hospital overnight on Christmas Eve, she was discharged at 0930 on Christmas morning - only for the baby to be prematurely born at around 1120 that morning on the settee.

David Welch "All we want is an apology..."

Despite being rushed to hospital the baby died three hours late in his father's arms.

Ms White's father David Welch said the family are demanding an apology from Doncaster Royal Infirmary at the very least and expressed his disappointment at the treatment his daughter and late grandson had received.

David Welch, Gemma's father, expresses strong family feelings

The hospital has put out a brief statement :

"The local hospital trust regrets the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Gemma White's pregnancy and delivery. An immediate investigation was launched into the management of her pregnancy and the birth of her child on Christmas Day.

Doncaster Royal Infirmary

The interim results of the investigation show that Gemma White was admitted on the 23rd December for over an hour and treated for a urine infection, and readmitted on the 25th December but she asked to go home after about five hours of further treatment.

Her discharge was against the recommendation of the medical team, but was permitted because she had an appointment booked for the 29th December.

Women in the Doncaster area can be reassured that the Community Midwifery Service and the Women's Hospital provide an excellent service for them throughout their pregnancies."
 

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