A mum was "too scared" to give birth in Ipswich Hospital after she discovered they could not offer her gas and air and was forced to make a last-minute switch to Colchester.

Samantha Gardner, 35, gave birth to her healthy baby boy, Isaac, on January 5 at Colchester General Hospital.

A first-time mum, having conceived Isaac via IVF, Miss Gardner was naturally filled with nerves about her son's birth, but hadn't imagined how difficult the process would really be.

The use of nitrous oxide (gas and air) was suspended with immediate effect at Ipswich Hospital on Tuesday, December 6.

Dr Giles Thorpe, chief nurse at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), said they had tested the levels of nitrous oxide in the Ipswich birthing rooms and found that there are some areas "above the safe levels".

Gazette: Dr Giles Thorpe, chief nurse at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.Dr Giles Thorpe, chief nurse at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust. (Image: ESNEFT)

He added that they had placed an immediate order for 13 mobile units, known as scavengers, to remove any excess nitrous oxide in the air, but it was likely to be five to seven days before they arrive.

However, while they did receive the units within this period, they were unfortunately found to be unsuitable for their maternity wards.

On Sunday, December 22, the hospital said it would now be sourcing a different kind of mobile ventilation unit, but could not give an update on the delivery timeframe.

Miss Gardner had read this news, but shook off her concerns after reading the hospital's reassurances that the situation would be back to normal soon.

However, while attending a check-up with her community midwife on Thursday, January 3, she asked whether nitrous oxide had been reinstated and was surprised to learn that it hadn't - and she hadn't been alerted.

With her due date looming on Thursday, January 19, Miss Gardner quickly tried to make other arrangements, but was told that she had missed the 36-week mark for transfer and her only other option was a home birth.

"I obviously didn't want a home birth, as Isaac is my first baby," she said.

"To me, gas and air is one of the essentials in every woman's birth plan, so I just panicked."

"In the end, I was too scared to give birth at Ipswich Hospital without it."

Things took a turn for the worse when Miss Gardner's waters broke early in the morning of Thursday, January 5 and she was forced to make a snap decision as to where she would be giving birth.

After attending Ipswich Hospital for an assessment, she decided to take the risk and make her way to Colchester General Hospital.

 

"I saw someone else in a local mum's Facebook group who had said they wouldn't turn me away if I was already in labour," said Miss Gardner.

"I was never going to give birth at Ipswich. It wasn't an option for me."

After a quick dash across the county border, Miss Gardner presented at Colchester and, as her information was out of date, had to undergo blood tests and check-ups while she was in labour.

"It was all hands on deck and it happened really quickly," she said.

"I got the gas and air in the end and took my paper notes from Ipswich hospital across with me."

After gas and air, pethidine, an epidural and a caesarean section, Miss Gardner finally gave birth to Isaac, weighing a healthy six pounds.

Dr Thorpe said: “We are very appreciative of the support and patience of women and pregnant people as we work towards putting in mobile ventilation units at Ipswich Maternity Unit.

“We completely understand the concerns of women and pregnant people who would like a hospital birth with the option of using gas and air (nitrous oxide).

"Until there is a safe and effective solution, we are unable to reintroduce gas and air to ensure we keep our maternity team safe.

“Pregnant women and people have been so understanding and our midwives are supporting them in making choices about alternative pain relief options. Thank you for everyone’s understanding.”