ONE expectant mother says the proposed changes to maternity care would add anxiety and strain at an already stressful time .

Debora Hockney, of Penenden Heath, Maidstone, who is seven and a half months' pregnant with her first child, said she would be very unhappy at having to travel to Pembury Hospital rather than to Maidstone Hospital to have her baby.

Ms Hockney, a marketing executive at the Kent Messenger Group's headquarters in Larkfield, said: " They tell us to practise the route to the hospital beforehand, and it is 20 minutes from our house to the hospital, plus another half an hour for parking.

"It is a very big difference from our house to Pembury. Just think of all the things which could happen on the way -- there could be an accident or roadworks. It could take over an hour. That would be a big worry."

Ms Hockney, whose baby is due on November 5, is likely to need an early caesarean birth because her baby is in an extended breech position.

So she would be one of the mothers likely to be affected by the proposed move to the new hospital in the future.

She also has to have weekly hospital check-ups because of a lack of fluid around the baby.

She said: "Maidstone Hospital has been so supportive. I have had a few problems along the way and all I have to do is ring up and they say to come straight in. I am there and wired up to a heart monitor within half an hour.

"It puts your mind at rest and you go home thinking everything is fine. "

Ms Hockney said although she and fiance, Les Eacott both drive, several expectant mothers she knew could not and had to rely on their partners for transport, or would have to use public transport to get to Pembury.