Shocking figures show 3,000 women giving birth in hospital lifts and corridors

WOMEN are having to give birth in hospital lifts, corridors and car parks amid a shortage of beds and midwives.

Hundreds of others are being turned away from over-stretched maternity units — with some being forced to travel as far as 70 miles.

The alarming incidents show how hospitals are struggling to cope with the increase in older and obese mums who are prone to complications.

A women at Southampton General Hospital gave birth in a stairwell and at least four other hospitals said tots were born in lifts.

Five other trusts said women had given birth in corridors, 20 in car parks and 36 in A&E.

In another case, a woman had to travel 70 miles from Peterborough to Lincoln for a maternity bed.
The stories were unearthed using Freedom of Information laws.

Since 2014, 3,166 women have had to give birth outside a maternity ward.

Experts say a lack of beds means women are being discouraged from going to hospital until the last minute.

Labour health spokesman Justin Madders said: “These figures highlight the huge amount of pressure maternity services are under.”