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Two mums who endured "hell" in Scotland's maternity units are demanding that the probe into the state of services is carried out urgently . Emma Owen, 22, and Heather Boyd , 38, are bravely speaking out about their experiences after a taskforce to survey the units was announced by Public Health Minister Jenni Minto earlier this week. But the mothers say the probe is "long overdue" and insist swift action must be taken to protect more women and babies from the "grief and agony" they both experienced. Emma lost her baby boy Owen when he was less than a day old after he was born at Wishaw General Hospital on July 1, 2023. In the week before his birth, the mum-of-two attended the hospital's maternity unit four times with a sore head , swelling and general illness. At the time, she was 35 weeks pregnant and was sent home on each occasion with pain relief. But when Emma was left unable to sit or lie down due to excruciating pain, she and her partner Joe Turner returned to the hospital and demanded to be properly seen. After examinations, it emerged she had suffered a placenta abruption - when the placenta separates from the uterus before childbirth. She was raced into theatre, where surgeons performed an emergency c-section before little Owen tragically died. Emma, from Hamilton , told the Record: "This investigation is long overdue. For some of us, it's sadly too late, but I hope that this taskforce will get to the bottom of what's going on. "As expectant m ums we go into hospital assuming we will leave with our children. For a lot of us, that hasn't been the case and that needs to be looked at. "This investigation must take place as soon as possible - we cannot afford any more mistakes to take place. "It is so clear that there is a problem and the sooner that's addressed, the sooner families can feel reassured that they're in the best possible hands." Heather was left fighting for her life and placed into two induced comas after giving birth by caesarean section at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock in January. The mum-of-five was admitted to the hospital's maternity unit after she fell unwell at 35 weeks pregnant with her son, Charlie. She reported experiencing "excruciating" stomach pains, however, medics put her symptoms down to constipation and told her to go for a bath. It wasn't until Heather started throwing up that they rushed her into theatre to perform an emergency C-section . Charlie was delivered safely and Heather was stitched back up having been told the procedure was successful. However, after complications , Heather's stomach ballooned and she began throwing up. The mum said she was then given a second operation to treat an abscess. But during the procedure, her bowel was perforated - leaving holes in the wall of her intestine which allowed its contents to leak into her abdominal cavity. The injury, which can be caused by medical procedures, can cause a life-threatening infection called peritonitis , which can lead to sepsis. Heather was sent home with a gaping 16-inch hole across her abdomen and now requires the use of a feeding tube and stoma bag. Speaking after the taskforce announcement, Heather , from Saltcoats in Ayrshire, said: "It's about time they recognised that there is a serious issue with our maternity services. "In my case, I was lucky that my baby and I survived , but we brushed very closely with death. It's disturbing because it could have been Charlie . Tomorrow, it could be another baby whose life is at stake. "This process needs to be fast and prompt. If not, more mums with babies like myself, Charlie, Emma and Owen will have to go through unimaginable hell, pain and grief. "Too many women are going into hospital pregnant and leaving with empty arms." The taskforce was confirmed after significant pressure on the government from MSPs and bereaved families. A recent Healthcare Improvement Scotland ( HIS ) inspection of Edinburgh Royal Infimrary's maternity unit also found serious concerns, including significant delays, a "culture of mistrust" and staffing shortages that led to patient harm. A previous inspection at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee also raised issues about staff shortages and delays in assessing expectant mothers. The task force will consider the scope of a national review and will seek to identify problems with culture alongside the design and delivery of services. Jackie Baillie, health spokeswoman for Scottish Labour, said: “It is right that SNP ministers have finally listened to the families and the experts and agreed to carry out this important work. “It is crucial that this investigation goes ahead with the urgency needed and covers both maternity and neonatal care. “Too many women and babies have been let down when it matters most, and their experiences must be at the heart of this review." MSP Monica Lennon added: “These devastating stories are far from isolated. While we welcome the taskforce, the SNP Government must order a national investigation now. "Having supported constituents through baby loss and trauma due to unsafe care, it’s clear that more transparency, accountability, and investment is urgently needed. If it can save one life, it is surely worth doing." Public Health Minister Jenni Minto has been contacted for comment.
