Mother gives birth in A&E after experiencing a cardiac emergency while in labour

14theApril 2026

An expectant mum has given birth in Morriston Hospital’s emergency department after suffering a cardiac emergency as she went into labour.

Alanna Rooke’s heart was beating at over twice the rate it should have, and her oxygen levels had plummeted.

But her little boy was born safely, thanks to the combined care of ED and maternity staff.

Alanna was almost 40 weeks pregnant when she experienced a seizure at her home in Mount Pleasant, Swansea.

Husband Simon called for emergency assistance, but decided to take her in their car to Morriston Hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

While she was triaged in ED - where she was found to have a dangerously high heart rate - two midwives were summoned from Neath Port Talbot Hospital to assist the ED team. It was soon clear that Alanna was in labour.

Baby Franklyn, who was born weighing a healthy 8 Ib and 2 oz, was later transferred to the maternity unit in Singleton Hospital, where he spent six days in the neonatal intensive care unit, before being allowed home with his relieved family.

Babies have not been routinely born in Morriston Hospital for more than 30 years since maternity services moved across to Singleton Hospital in 1991.

Since then there have been just  a couple of unexpected births at Morriston, with the last one also in the ED eight years ago.

 “We are usually in our own environment, the birthing centre, where we know where everything is.

“It was the opposite in the ED. It was very surreal to be delivering a baby next to a defibrillator. We were definitely out of our comfort zone.”

Medical staff reported it was a particularly busy day in A&E. But it was recognised that mum was experiencing a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) which causes the heart to beat much faster than it should. She was given an ECG and treatment to correct the SVT.

Community midwife Amanda Morgan explained: “The heart should beat under 100 time a minute but mum’s heart was beating at over 200, and her oxygen saturation, which should be over 95%, was just 80%

“She was very clammy and disorientated and she was acutely unwell. We were concerned she would arrest because the heart is under the most strain when the mother is in labour.”

Alanna had been out shopping a couple of hours before the episode.

Husband Simon said: “I called 999 and probably lost my cool a little bit. I was asked if I could take her pulse but she was shaking so much I couldn’t.

“I told them she was nine months pregnant and she might die. She was on the floor being sick. I was thinking ‘this can’t be happening?’

“I took her to A&E but had to leave her there momentarily so I could move the car so it didn’t obstruct the ambulances, but the receptionist who saw us was lovely, and she called a consultant.”

Alanna said: “I blacked out in the car so I don’t remember much, but I was sick and in pain in the house, and my chest was tight.

“I’d never had any issues with my heart before, apart from the odd palpitation I put down to exercise.

“I didn’t realise how bad I was until I was seen the doctors. I don’t think I would be here without them or the midwives. They were all so professional.”

Director of Midwifery Kathryn Greaves added: “This birth was outside of where we would be normally, but the whole environment and staff were so supportive and understanding of Alanna, as well as our needs. 

“I will be forever grateful of how the ED staff allowed us to take over and support this wonderful family. It made my day to be beside Claire and Amanda who were incredible.”