Pregnant woman denied from Ballarat hospital, then gave birth on floor at home

She was told her labour pains were a kidney infection, and she was sent home with pain medication. 

Courtnie was turned away from the hospital, despite being in immense pain. Source: 9News

Courtnie Apps was experiencing immense pain when she arrived at Ballarat Base Hospital on Monday night.

Heavily pregnant, she was accompanied by her best friend, Ashlee, as they tried to seek help. 

Arriving at the hospital, the mum-of-two told the doctors she was having contractions and likely in labour.

But they turned her away and sent her home. 

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Courtnie was told her labour pains was a kidney infection. Source: 9News

Ballarat mum gave birth on the floor 

Doctors informed Courtnie that the contractions she was feeling weren’t labour pains but signs of a kidney infection.

“[Doctors] said, ‘Well, you’re not in labour, so this pain you’re having must be from a kidney infection, which can be quite painful’,” her friend, Ashlee told 9News. 

Baffled by the hospital’s response, Courtnie was sent home with painkillers and a strong sleeping pill. 

The pair felt gaslit by the hospital. 

“We’re like, ‘Are we crazy? We’re clearly seeing she’s in labour’,” Ashlee said. 

The pair were sent home, Courtnie still in tremendous pain. 

An hour later, she gave birth to her daughter on the floor. 

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She gave birth to her daughter on the floor an hour later. Source: 9News

“Listen to your patients ... they're telling you that something's not right”

Luckily for Courtnie, Ashlee, a mum-of-six, is studying nursing and hoping to become a midwife. 

“I had to put my hand on the baby's head to stop her from coming out too fast and doing too much damage, all while trying to dial triple zero with my other hand,” Ashlee explained. 

She confessed it was “pure luck” that Courtnie’s delivery was easy, that “baby didn’t need any help”, and Courtnie didn’t “have a serious haemorrhage.”

After giving birth, Courtnie was rushed back to Ballarat Base Hospital, her newborn cradled in her arms. 

Courtnie claims that she hasn’t received an apology from the hospital. 

“Listen to your patients,” she said. “They're telling you that something's not right.” 

A spokesperson for Grampians Health said they would not comment on the case. “Grampians Health respects the privacy of our patients and is unable to provide details or comment on individual cases,” they told 9News. 

“The safety of our patients is critical to our role as a healthcare organisation, and we are committed to providing excellence in care.” 

Originally published as Pregnant woman denied from Ballarat hospital, then gave birth on floor at home