THE mother of triplets born at Maidstone Hospital believes she or one of her babies might not have survived had she been forced to travel further to deliver them.

Janet Steele, from East Malling, gave birth to triplets at the hospital in Hermitage Lane five years ago, at just 32 weeks pregnant.

Mrs Steele, who then lived in Larkfield, was in labour for just 20 minutes when she reached the hospital and underwent an emergency caesarean to deliver the babies.

Two of the babies were pressing downwards onto the other baby, making a speedy delivery vital to ensure they would all live.

All three babies -- Kieran, who weighed 3lb 10oz; Chloe, who weighed 3lb 14oz and Ashley who was just 2lb 10oz-- survived but it was touch and go for both mother and babies.

In proposals unveiled by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust last week, local mothers with complicated pregnancies, such as multiple births or those needing caesareans, would go to the new Pembury Hospital when it is built in 2010, rather than Maidstone.

Mrs Steele believes, had the proposals been in place when she had her babies, the consequences could have been disastrous for her.

“There was no way I would have got to Pembury. Once I get in labour, there is no stopping me,” she said.

Mrs Steele had gone through childbirth three times before, as she also has a 24-year-old son, whose twin brother died in childhood, a 21-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter.

But she said: “Because it only took 20 minutes, by the time I got to Maidstone Hospital, I was already 10 centimetres dilated. If I’d had to go to Pembury, I can’t imagine what would have happened. I simply wouldn’t have made it. If a mother was in the same situation as I was, they could die or one of the children could die.

“They were brilliant with me at Maidstone. Absolutely brilliant. I think it is disgusting, the idea that they might close it. They should keep the Maidstone maternity unit open,” she said.

Mrs Steele said her triplets, who were so tiny at first she was scared to hold them, were well cared for at Maidstone Hospital then and now.

Her son Kieran regularly returns to the children’s unit for blood tests for an immune system deficiency.

“The doctors and nurses there are wonderful. He has got to know them and they are always so good with him."