Woman Who Was Denied Entrance Into A Maternity Ward Gives Birth On The Street

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Woman Who Was Denied Entrance Into A Maternity Ward Gives Birth On The Street

Lizzie Hines/Facebook

A woman who had given birth on the street after she was denied entrance into her hospital's maternity ward is looking for the stranger who gave her their scarf to keep her newborn son warm.

Last December, Lizzie Hines was told she couldn't be admitted to the University College London Hospital (UCLH) as she had only been in labor for two and a half hours, Buzzfeed News reports.

Half an hour later, Hines gave birth to her son, Louis.

"When [Louis] arrived he flew at speed into the pajamas I was wearing with a T-shirt, bare feet, and a long coat, but no one had realized," Hines said. "I said 'He's here!' And a woman said 'Don't worry, we will get you to the hospital before he arrives,' and I said 'No, he's here!'"

"They opened my pajamas and found him wriggling and starting to cry out. Someone in the crowd shouted 'It's a Christmas miracle!'" she added.

She had given birth outside Tottenham Court Road tube station, but had nothing to protect her newborn from the elements. Luckily a good Samaritan gave her their scarf to keep Louis warm.

A year later, Hines took to Facebook to seek out the stranger who's simple act of kindness had helped her in her hour of need.

Dec. 14, Hines wrote a post on Facebook in an effort to find the stranger to thank them, and return the scarf. The drama of the situation had prevented her from asking for their name and contact information.

"I'd like to say thank you for their kindness, and to all the people that helped," Hines told Buzzfeed News. "There's something amazing about sharing something so monumental and precious with strangers."

"Especially when they drop everything in that moment to help, and you can feel them rooting for you. I'd also like them to know that Louis is well and fine," she said.

Soon after the birth, Hines and Louis were finally admitted to hospital, where staff confirmed she had a happy and healthy baby boy.

Since the incident, UCLH has released a statement apologizing to Hines, but said the hospital staff had a "difficult judgement call" to make.

What would you do if you saw a woman giving birth on the street?

Maya has been working at Shared for a year. She just begrudgingly spent $200 on a gym membership. Contact her at maya@shared.com