Vicki's first child, Iona-May, was born nine weeks premature in May last year and is severely disabled, suffering from cerebral palsy.

Now expecting her second child in March, Vicki, from Bridge Close, Goring, has been told by specialists that if she were to give birth naturally again there is a high chance of the same thing recurring.

Vicki, 26, said: "What frightens me is if I were to go into premature labour once again (something the chances of which are heightened) and had to travel to a hospital further away like Chichester, and perhaps were to get caught in traffic, that I may not make it in time to have the emergency caesarean section that I need.

"If I gave birth on the roadside or in the car, my child's health would be at risk, and due to the complications that I suffer could mean another child suffering severe mental and physical disabilities."

When Vicki went into labour with Iona-May, the early breaking of her waters caused an infection.

Doctors at Worthing then found she had contracted a virus and Iona-May was left brain damaged.

Iona-May spent a week on the special baby care unit in Worthing, followed by a gruelling stay in a London hospital.

Various tests revealed holes in her brain and Vicki and partner Sam's first baby was given just 72 hours to live.

Vicki said: "She is coming up to 18-months-old now and everything she does relies on support from Worthing Hospital.

"I love my daughter dearly and cannot imagine her being any other way, but it has been very hard and is only to get harder as she gets older."

A new option being put together for the Fit for the Future consultation by hospital consultants and managers would see both Worthing and Chichester keeping A&E and intensive care.

However the PCT's proposal for maternity services is that there would be a new stand-alone midwife-led birthing unit for West Sussex, not necessarily at Worthing.

Vicki said: "I can't believe these people can even think about closing our maternity unit.

"Pregnancy and birth is the most natural thing in the world but one that comes with many risks and complications for mother and baby, some of which can be avoided if immediate attention is given.

"Adding on this extra travelling time in any stage of labour is causing unnecessary danger to these parents and children.

"We cannot choose what time our babies are born and if that happens to be in rush hour, then what?"