"You're not in labour": Expectant mum sent away from hospital gives birth at home
A young mother from Ballarat, Victoria, had no choice but to give birth in the front bedroom of her home after being turned away from the maternity ward, even though she was experiencing contractions.
Courtnie Apps, accompanied by her best friend Ashlee Meek, arrived at Ballarat Base Hospital on Monday night, enduring immense pain.
Apps described the experience as intense and was promptly taken to the pregnancy assessment area for testing. However, medical staff concluded that her pain was likely due to a kidney infection, rather than labor.
"They said, 'You're not in labour so this pain you're having must be from your kidney infection, which can be quite painful,'" Apps told 9News.
Disappointed and bewildered, Apps was sent home with painkillers and a strong sleeping pill.
"We're like, 'Are we crazy? We're clearly seeing she's in labour,'" Meek stated, reflecting on their frustration.
The pair returned home, and within an hour, Apps gave birth to her daughter, Alaida Hope.
Meek, who has aspirations of becoming a midwife and is a nursing student with six children of her own, assisted in the delivery.
"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," Meeks recalled.
"It was just pure luck really that nothing happened and that baby didn't need any help and that mum didn't have a serious haemorrhage."
After the unexpected home birth, the trio was transported back to Ballarat Base Hospital in an ambulance. However, to their dismay, no one from the hospital has offered an apology thus far. Apps emphasised the importance of listening to patients saying that healthcare professionals should pay attention when patients express that something is wrong.
When approached for a statement, a spokesperson for Grampians Health, the organisation overseeing Ballarat Base Hospital, declined to comment on Apps' case.
The spokesperson cited patient privacy as the reason for not disclosing specific details but assured that patient safety is of utmost importance and their commitment to providing excellent care remains unwavering.
Image: 9News