Fall at school revealed pupil was having a baby

A SCHOOLGIRL who was rushed to hospital after a playground fall was found to be almost seven months' pregnant - and didn't know.

• Naomi Smith, now aged 16, at home with her nearly one-year-old daughter Nina.

Naomi Smith, who was 15 at the time, thought she had injured her spine when she slipped on ice at James Gillespie's High School in January last year.

But, instead, doctors at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary found she was heavily pregnant when the image of a baby appeared on the X-ray.

Naomi, from Corstorphine, insists she had no signs that she was pregnant and was left with barely two months to prepare for the arrival.

She went on to give birth to a healthy baby called Nina - now nearly one - and with the support of her family is back at school and considering a career as a midwife after being inspired by the care she received.

Speaking about the day of the bombshell news, the now 16-year-old, who attends the young mothers' unit at the Wester Hailes Education Centre, said she originally feared a return of an old back injury, suffered when she fell off a trampoline.

"It was last year when we had the really terrible weather and I was taken to accident and emergency after a bad fall," she said. "I couldn't feel my legs and thought I had injured the bottom of my spine again.

"When you go in to get an X-ray you have to sign a form declaring you are not pregnant, which, of course, I did.

"Then a really lovely doctor came to me and told me that I was pregnant.

"I was shocked and terrified at the same time, because I genuinely had no idea at all. Then I had to tell my parents - they wheeled me through and I think they could see in my face there was something wrong.

"Then they came in to check the baby's heartbeat and my dad had to leave my bedside while they put a curtain round.

"There was nothing at first but then eventually you could hear the heartbeat - so my dad heard it but couldn't see me or the screen.

"I think that was quite an emotional moment for him. It was an amazing experience."

While her parents were shocked, they soon adapted to the news and Naomi has been able to raise her daughter with their help and support at the family home.

"A few of the girls my age at the WHEC have their own flats and I don't know how they cope," she said.

"I couldn't do it if I didn't have the family support behind me."

Since the momentous playground fall, Naomi - who did not want to go into detail about the child's father - has had to grow up quickly.

Nights out with friends have had to be curtailed, and she had to move schools to make sure she could keep up her studies.She said: "It was a change going there, but it has been great to be around people in the same situation as me, people who know exactly what you are going through.

"The whole place gives great support, including the teachers and the health visitors.

"Things are a lot different now. Even if I am out with friends I just feel like I want to be at home with Nina.

"Of course I was worried about what people would think, but overall people are really sensitive.

"I was concerned at hospital being around so many older mothers and what they'd maybe think, but everything was really positive."

The midwifery team made such an impression on Naomi that she now wants to follow in their footsteps.

She said that while teen pregnancies were generally regarded as a bad thing, her own experience has been the complete opposite.

"I now want to be a midwife, and can hopefully go and study that once I've finished here," she said.

"They get a hard time but my experience has been a really positive one. I realised there are so many different aspects to the job.

"They always remembered my name and even when doctors changed they would come and ask how I was getting on."

Naomi's father, who wished to remain anonymous, was so impressed with the care she received at the ERI he wrote a lengthy letter to midwives thanking them.

He singled out midwife Shona Finch for particular praise, saying that his daughter's dignity was treated with the utmost importance.

He said: "As Naomi's parents, we were sensitive to criticism of our situation, but Shona's affirmation of her was really reassuring.

"We were clearly all very shocked at this situation, but the midwives were gentle and took time to acknowledge our distress before doing any of the procedures.

"I was impressed each time by the way the midwives cared for Naomi. They treated her respectfully - I had no sense of judgement and on a number of occasions they would ask Naomi about her experience and they really empathised with her. I can't think that there was any occasion when midwives didn't speak to Naomi in an adult way. Nina's birth was a hugely positive experience - emotional and exhilarating and we were so relieved all was well. We were so proud of Naomi and captivated by our new granddaughter."

Melanie Hornett, nurse director for NHS Lothian, said: "Our midwives are caring and dedicated and committed to giving new mums and their families the best care and experience.

"We greatly appreciate this family taking the time to thank and praise our staff."

MUM'S THE WORD

THE number of teenage pregnancies in the Lothians rose last year, while abortions in youngsters reached a five-year high.

Figures show there were 108 under-age pregnancies, while 62 girls aged between 13 and 15 opted to have terminations.

It is estimated around two girls under the age of 16 fall pregnant every week in the area, a figure critics say points to a failure of safe sex initiatives.

But for its part, NHS Lothian has a range of schemes both to encourage safe sex amongst youngsters and to help out teenage mothers.

The Family Nurse Partnership was recently launched, providing intensive support for females under 20 and giving them information on how best to care for their new baby.

The project also helps the mother and father get into education and employment, and assists them with any housing concerns.