A coroner has ruled that a two day old baby died of 'natural causes' despite the infant's mother alleging her health concerns were ignored by midwives at an NHS maternity unit made famous by an award-winning TV show.

Steph Sherwood claimed that complications she had experienced with two previous pregnancies were not 'taken into consideration' resulting in the death of her baby daughter, Phoebe.

The county council worker claimed she had told midwives of her concerns that her bump was not growing and that she could not feel her unborn child moving.

During an inquest into the baby's death, a midwife caring for her admitted that the situation on the ward at the time was 'not safe' due to poor staffing levels.

But now, a coroner has concluded the baby died naturally as a result of the 'complicated history' Mrs Sherwood had with pregnancy - which included her previously suffering a stillbirth and a miscarriage.

Area coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said that Phoebe had been born in a 'much worse' condition than imagined and there was 'not much more' hospital staff could have done to manage the risks.

Winchester Coroners Court, was told earlier this week Mrs Sherwood was 'anxious' throughout her whole pregnancy having lost two previous babies.

The expectant mum said 'things started to go wrong' when she noticed the 'same pattern' of events during her fourth pregnancy as she had in the past.

This pattern included the mother noticing a lack of movement in her stomach, and realising her bump growth had slowed.

The inquest heard that despite voicing her concerns to midwives at Princess Anne hospital in Southampton - where Channel 4's series One Born Every Minute was filmed - an 'anxious and aware' Mrs Sherwood was reportedly told that 'it was okay' and no further action was taken.

Mrs Sherwood attended the hospital as an in-patient on February 10th and on the same day she gave birth to her second daughter, Phoebe.

The inquest heard the infant was born with 'no heartbeat' and a 'poor prognosis' meaning she died just two days later, with her parents by her side.

Mrs Rhodes-Kemp said: "The family had concerns that if Mum's worries were looked at then Phoebe may have survived."

In a statement read out to court, Mrs Sherwood - who attended the hearing with husband Karl - said: "No one could say what could have happened but I believe that if my whole history was reviewed then things started to go wrong then she would be here today."

The midwife caring for a 'visibly distressed' Mrs Sherwood told the inquest earlier this week that she was the 'only staff member on the ward' and admitted it was not a 'safe situation' to be in.

Corrine Suddes was the 'shift leader' on the evening of February 10, when the expectant mother was 'rushed into theatre' and gave birth to Phoebe.

Giving evidence at the inquest, Ms Suddes tearily told the parents: "I just want to give my deepest, deepest condolences for what happened."

Ms Suddes monitored Mrs Sherwood after she arrived - but admitted she was 'the only staff member on the ward to provide care'.

Mrs Rhodes-Kemp asked the midwife 'Was that a safe situation?' and in response, Ms Suddes said 'No'.

She told the inquest: "It was during covid so it was exceptional circumstances. Sickness levels were off the scale, we had a lot of midwives shielding."

Despite the concerns over staffing levels, the midwife was adamant this did not impact the quality of care provided to Mrs Sherwood.

When asked whether she was 'aware of the history' of the expectant mother, Ms Suddes said: "Yes, I was. I cannot emphasise enough that I did prioritise her care.

"We were watching it and we were aware so I don't think the level of staff had an impact on the care Stephanie received at that time."

But, when asked at the inquest if she would have dealt with things differently, Ms Suddes said: "No. Hand on heart no. I had a duty of care to the other women on the ward."

Today, Mrs Rhodes-Kemp concluded the inquest and said 'baby Phoebe was born in a poor condition' which 'worsened' in the 12 hours after she was born.

She said the infant 'suffered a significant lack of oxygen', adding: "I think the most appropriate conclusion is natural causes."

Addressing Mrs Sherman, she said: "Whilst I know that you were very concerned about some aspects of the care, the fact seems to be that you had a very complicated history that there were risk factors. Risk factors were maintained as best possible.

"For reasons that were not really understood, Phoebe's condition was much worse than imagined.

"It was not possible to save her so she died.

"What came across yesterday and today was that no one could have expected Phoebe to be born in such a poor condition.

"The evidence shows that the response was not only rapid, but it was also efficient."

Discussing Ms Suddes, she added: "She described it as being extremely busy and she had a number of very sick ladies.

"She had two other midwives, neither of whom were familiar with the ward.

"She said if there was one thing she could change, it would simply be to give you more time.

"I felt that she was honest in her assessment of the business of the ward. There is no doubt that this was a challenging shift for her.

"You were a priority for her and you remained a priority for her."

Mrs Rhodes-Kemp said there was 'not much more' hospital staff could have done to 'avoid all the risks' which came with Mrs Sherwood's pregnancy.