Woman in labour forced to share ambulance with another mum who had lost her baby

A Gladstone mum who had been told her baby may not survive was forced to travel the scary, bumpy journey to Rockhampton with another mother who had tragically just lost her baby.

A labouring Gladstone mother who was told her baby may not survive was forced to share the long journey to Rockhampton Hospital in an ambulance with a mother who had just lost her baby.

Jaymie Jenkins, 27, has told The Sunday Mail that her birthing experience was so traumatic she may never have another baby.

When the young mother finally arrived in Rockhampton she says she was sent from the hospital to two different hotels for two separate nights to slowly labour.

“It was a nightmare journey to have Mason but thankfully it had a happy ending as he was born healthy and with no disabilities as was predicted,” Ms Jenkins said.

“When I hold him in my arms I have flashbacks to that awful two hour ambulance ride in the rain.”

Ms Jenkins said she was “horrified” when she realised she was sharing the ambulance with a mother who had lost her baby.

“I was so worried for her but also it brought home to me that I could very possibly lose my baby too,” she said.

“It felt cruel, even more so for her.

“We didn’t talk much during the journey as I was three centimetres dilated, in labour with severe back pain.

“It was a very bumpy road and I was scared.”

Jaymie Jenkins, 27 with baby Mason, 2 months. Picture: William Debois

The Gladstone woman, who also has a three year old, was diagnosed with cholestasis after having gastro symptoms where she was vomiting bile.

“My bile levels were extremely high and I was told my baby was at risk of disability or even being stillborn. It was a very uneasy pregnancy with a lot of fear,” Ms Jenkins said.

At almost 38 weeks Ms Jenkins presented to Gladstone Hospital, which is still on maternity bypass.

“The staff there told me I was at 3cm and that I would need to go to Rocky to have my baby and I could go in my own car but about 15 minutes after that exam I had a massive blood clot and was told I would need to go via ambulance because my baby was coming and coming fast,” she said.

The mum’s labour slowed dramatically and she ended up in labour for six days.

“I was told at Rocky they would break my waters but then that never happened as they said they didn’t have enough midwives,” she said,

“So over six days I slowly laboured in three different places – the hospital and two different hotels.

“One of the nights my partner and I ended up at the door of a hotel at 11pm.

“The whole thing felt like a horror show.”

Jaymie and Sam Jenkins with son Wyatt, 3, and baby Mason, 2 months. Picture: William Debois

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service chief Executive Emma McCahon did not comment on Ms Jenkins case.

But said that because “births come at any time of the day”, there were occasions staff could be faced with “competing priorities” when there are multiple deliveries at the same time.

“Women in active labour remain in hospital under the care of the maternity team until the birth of their baby. Women in very early labour usually do not need hospital care,” she said.

“Our teams work with women and their families on their accommodation requirements and support as required.

“Women don’t have to make private arrangements but can do so if they wish.”

Dr McCahon said the CQHSS continued to prioritise the recruitment of specialist obstetric staff to Gladstone Hospital.

“I want to acknowledge our teams in Gladstone and Rockhampton who have been working tirelessly to care for pregnant women in a challenging time,” she said.

There have been only four elective C-sections at Gladstone Hospital since January 13 and no emergency C-sections since February 1.