AN Aberystwyth mother has called for Bronglais Hospital to be able to care for premature babies after she had to be rushed to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen.

Stephanie Tucker has launched a petition urging authorities to ensure that services are available at Bronglais, after raising concerns that premature newborn babies could be separated from their mothers under the current service.

Stephanie had to be transferred to Glangwili when she went into premature labour and, while baby Hanna was born safe and well, Stephanie said other mothers may face even greater problems and stress.

She said: “I went into premature labour at 34 weeks exactly and went into Bronglais to be monitored. The care I received there was brilliant, despite how busy they were.

“Whilst at the hospital I started losing blood and was terrified, but still felt reassured by the staff. Once I was stabilised I was told I would be transferred to another hospital, although it was not clear which one.

“Fortunately I ended up at Carmarthen, but could have been much further away.

“On the journey there I found out that ambulances can’t continually monitor unborn babies, so I only knew what was happening when the midwife used a doppler every so often. It was terrifying.”

Read the full story in this week’s Aberystwyth edition of the Cambrian News