A mum who was rushed to hospital convinced she was in labour was discharged just a couple of hours later after being diagnosed with a urine infection.
But soon after Philippa Wadsworth got home she started to have regular painful contractions and gave birth to a baby boy who arrived nine weeks early.
Little Albie arrived nine weeks early
Gran Nikki Wadsworth called for an ambulance after realising her daughter was clearly in the advanced stages of delivery and was wanting to “push”.
Little Albie arrived weighing just 4lb 6oz, a minute after the medical team reached her Lordswood home on the afternoon of Monday, December 30.
Paramedics immediately intubated the newborn who was having breathing difficulties before blue-lighting him with dad Harry in an ambulance to Medway Maritime Hospital.
Nikki and Philippa followed shortly afterwards in a second vehicle.
Since then, Albie has been treated at the Oliver Fisher Special Care baby unit, where he is making good progress.
Proud mum and dad Harry and Philippa with their second son Albie
Nikki, 49, believes it was the speedy reaction of the ambulance staff and the expert care at the specialist unit based at the Gillingham hospital that saved little Albie’s life.
However, she is critical of the earlier treatment given to Philippa and the unborn child saying staff ”didn’t take her seriously”.
The head of midwifery at Medway NHS Trust has since apologised to the family and said the trust is investigating the matter.
Nikki said her daughter’s previous history of having her first son Luca, now aged two, four weeks early after a rapid delivery was not taken into account.
The mum-of-two said: “Pip was obviously in a lot of pain. They monitored her and the baby for an hour and then prescribed her medication for a urine infection.
Little Albie is making good progress at the special care baby unit
“We are all still in shock. We are angry she was sent home from the hospital and we have a lot of questions as to why they didn’t take her seriously in the morning.”
When they got back to her home above the dry cleaners Nikki runs in Admirals Walk at lunchtime, Harry went to get her the prescribed painkillers and antibiotics.
Mum Nikki added: “While sitting with her, I started making notes of every time she had pain and for how long.
“They were coming every three minutes lasting on average 40 seconds to one minute”.
After Philippa’s water broke, Nikki said her second grandson “came out like a rocket” and was immediately placed in the hands of medics.
Gran Nikki Wadsworth has praised paramedics and special care staff for helping save Albie’s life
She said: “He looked limp and floppy and appeared to be going slightly blue. I feared the worst.”
Harry, a postman, accompanied his poorly son in an ambulance to the emergency department.
Dad Harry, a postman, accompanied his poorly son to hospital
Nikki said: ”Philippa needed to clean up and I wanted his dad to be with him in case something happened.
“Looking back. It’s all a blur. But Albie is fighting back and doing well.”
Alison Herron, director of midwifery at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said: ”We are very sorry for the distress that Philippa and her family have experienced during baby Albie’s birth.
“We are investigating these concerns and will share findings with Philippa and her family, who we are in touch with.’’