Mum-to-be Samantha Apps was twice turned away by Eastbourne District General Hospital.
On the first occasion, she went in to be induced.
Samantha and her husband Chris went home, but the baby's arrival was imminent and they were back on the phone to the hospital on Christmas Eve, only to be told: "There's no room."
Chris took his wife to the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, 35 miles away, where she gave birth to 8lb 13oz Megan.
Eastbourne General chief executive Alan Randall explains that the maternity unit was exceptionally busy and it was the right decision to send Samantha to Hastings.
That's little comfort for the Appses, but at least Megan wasn't born in a stable.
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