PROPOSALS that would mean the loss of the overnight stay facility at the maternity unit in Okehampton Hospital has left some expectant mothers in the town angry and frustrated.

However, health officials say the move will offer a more personalised service, where midwives are on-call overnight and can see mothers in hospital or at home any time.

The proposed change will mean mothers will be sent home the day they give birth.

Okehampton resident Emma Cunnington, currently 32 weeks pregnant with her third child, is due a third caesarian section in May.

She said: 'Having previously received the support and care provided at the maternity unit after my last two babies, I am in a strong position to say this after-care service was invaluable to myself and my family for my recovery before I returned home.

'The help, time and advice provided at Okehampton was second to none and it is a crime that this facility will be taken away.

'I have been informed that the turnaround for patients after a normal delivery will be two hours.

'It is an absolutely unachievable timescale — every birth is different and a time scale like this cannot and should not be placed upon everybody.

' I think there are very few mums who are actually ready to go home after a couple of hours, even after a non-complicated easy delivery and that is of course provided the hospital can complete the paperwork in that sort of time frame.'

Emma said help and advice needed to be given to new mums.

She added: 'I understand that budgets need to be met under the current financial climate, but fear that cutbacks such as these will be of detriment to the future population.'

Mother of two Jane Barber from South Tawton is expecting her third baby in nine weeks.

She said: 'The first few days of bonding is so important for mothers and so many women feel strongly about the overnight service being taken away.

'It's a much needed facility and I'd like to think that once someone's had a baby, they get the support and care from professional people.

'It's not just mothers who need it, but husbands also want their wives home in a good mood and coping —it affects the whole family.

'The midwives will visit us at home, but we live in such a rural area, surely financially, it would be better for them to have new mums closer at hand, rather than driving around here, there and everywhere.

Jane said the team at Okehampton maternity unit offered invaluable support to mothers with new babies, helping them to cope with all the problems a new baby could bring.

Midwife in charge of maternity services at Tiverton, Honiton and Okehampton hospitals, Andrea Toman, said:  'We are concerned that there is confusion about the changes being made to improve midwifery services.

'I would like to reassure women in our care that there is no question of the service being downgraded or of a lesser quality than what they should expect.

'What we want to offer is the right care in the right place at the right time.

'If the pregnancy has been smooth without any health complications for mum and baby, then there is no clinical reason for them to remain in hospital for days.

'Instead we want our mums to know they can be in the comfort of their own home with the confidence that when, and if they need the support in the care of their child, they can get it.

'We don't want misinformation to cause unnecessary concern, particularly for women due to give birth in the coming months.'

NHS Devon is organising a series of events to explain the changes and listen to the views of parents and parents-to-be later this spring.

Anyone who would like to attend one of these events, can phone 01392 267 865 or email [email protected]">[email protected]

The change of service is unlikely to take place until September 2010.