A REDDITCH mother has described her journey to give birth at Worcestershire Royal Hospital as “horrendous”.

Following the shock closure of the maternity unit at the town’s Alexandra Hospital on Thursday, November 5 Laura Reece, who was due to give birth just two days later and who lives a short car journey away from the Alex, faced a stressful hour journey to Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Sunday, November 8 to give birth to her son.

Speaking about the ordeal, she said: “It was horrendous.

“The thought of going to Worcester has influenced me having another child. I wouldn’t like to go through that again.

“It’s just not practical.”

Miss Reece, of Church Hill, was previously featured in the Advertiser on November 4 after discovering the news of the unit’s closure via social media.

After starting contractions on Friday, November 6, Miss Reece journeyed to Worcester but was not far enough along to deliver and was sent home.

She returned to the hospital on Saturday, November 7 but was still not ready, and due to her exhaustion, staff offered to let her stay in overnight but she decided to go home.

Miss Reece's waters finally broke on at 4.50pm on Sunday, November 8 and for a third time, she made the gruelling journey to Worcester with her partner driving.

He was forced to travel in the hard shoulder in a race to reach the hospital before Miss Reece gave birth.

“I was lucky, he didn’t come quicker- I might have had to give birth on the motorway,” the 27-year-old added.

Her sister, Louise, who was also in the car, called the hospital and told them how quickly the contractions were coming and a member of staff came out to the hospital’s main entrance with a wheelchair to help get Miss Reece inside.

Miss Reece praised the hospital and staff for their help.

“I couldn’t of asked for better,” she said.

Baby Riley was safely born via a water birth on Sunday, November 8 at 7.23pm, weighing 9lb 5oz.