THE plight of mums-to-be is to be taken up by a councillor who labelled the closure of post-natal beds at the district's birth centre "barmy".

Liberal Wyre Forest District Council member, Fran Oborski, said her party was mounting a campaign to get the maximum number of services back to Kidderminster and demanding an explanation why the post-natal beds must close at the end of this month.

She said the Liberals were sending out slips in their leaflets for people to sign and return "if they are concerned about the birth centre and want to see it reopened". Around 30 have been returned so far.

"I've also had members of the public contact me by phone and e-mail asking me to launch a campaign on it," Mrs Oborski said.

She added she had written to the chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, John Rostill, and was awaiting his formal reply.

"What I've said is that I want to see a letter in black and white from John Rostill telling me his intentions before I start a full scale public campaign because, when you know what you're up against, you know what you are fighting.

"The fact post-natal beds are closing is a much wider issue than births and, given the pressure on beds at Worcester, it is barmy."

Mr Rostill responded by telling the Shuttle/Times and News: "Mrs Oborski makes a very valid point that the health of pregnant women and their babies must be paramount and that is a sentiment which I fully agree with."

He added: "She is concerned I am seeming to imply its future is in doubt and I have to confirm this.

"Until I'm satisfied all the recommendations have been implemented I am not even contemplating a decision."

He reiterated a comment he made to the Shuttle/Times and News last week regarding Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor, also receiving 20 to 30 responses to an appeal for the birth centre to be reopened, saying 30 respondents was not a significant figure.

Pregnant mum 'not told of closure'

A MOTHER of twins expecting her third child next month says she is furious that she has no choice where she and her baby are cared for after it is born.

Lucy Betschwar always knew she would have to give birth at Worcestershire Royal Hospital after having a caesarean four years ago but had her heart set on transferring to Wyre Forest Birth Centre afterwards.

That was until the solicitor found out, last month, that post-natal services at the facility were being cut to enable staff rotation - one of 27 recommendations of a damning inquiry report - to take place.

Mrs Betschwar is now campaigning to see them reinstated.

She was hoping to return to Kidderminster because she needs complete post-natal rest after suffering from Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, caused by her pubic bones separating too much, when twins Aleksander and Leon were born in Wolverhampton.

She said she also experienced the "nightmare" of travelling to Worcestershire Royal Hospital on a daily basis while looking after one child - Aleksander - at home last year, while her other son - Leon - spent seven nights there with an ear problem.

The 36-year-old, of Forester Way, claimed she knew at least one mother who had opted for a home birth to avoid journeys to Worcester.

"Last time I ended up with one of my hips five centimetres higher than the other, so I wanted to come back to Kidderminster to rest.

"You're supposed to lie around for at least two or three days after the birth and be looked after.

"I don't think they have the facilities to look after you to that extent at Worcester because the midwives are too busy.

"I visited last week and all the birthing rooms were full but one."

She added: "It was only when I read the Shuttle/Times and News that I realised I couldn't have my post-natal care in Kidderminster and I still haven't been officially notified.

"I just couldn't believe it - I'm thinking of discharging myself.

"It just depends how ill I am."

Mr Rostill confirmed the number of district home births requested had increased since the birth centre closed for deliveries.