Woman who just gave birth dies after getting lost in Edinburgh hospital

It is believed Amanda Cox, 34, took a wrong turn and died from a suspected haemorrhage in a rarely-used stairwell after visiting her premature son

New mother Amanda Cox, 34, from Peebles, in the Scottish Borders region, was found dead at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on 10 December, 2018, after she went missing. It is believed she got lost in the hospital after visiting her son in the neonatal unit and collapsed and died from a suspected haemorrhage. (Amanda Cox)

A new mother found dead in hospital after visiting her premature son is believed to have got lost and collapsed.

Amanda Cox, 34, was reported missing from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary at around 5pm on Monday after she did not return to the maternity ward following a visit to the neonatal unit.

She was found collapsed in the hospital after a five-hour search at about 10pm.

Ms Cox, from Peebles, in the Scottish Borders region, is thought to have suffered a haemorrhage after mistakenly entering a rarely-used stairwell, according to reports.

Police described her death as “unexplained, but not suspicious”.

“We can confirm that missing woman Amanda Cox was discovered collapsed within the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary around 10pm on Monday, 10 December,” Police Scotland said in a statement.

“She sadly passed away a short time later.

“The death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Ms Cox with her husband, Michael (GoFundMe)

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Amanda’s family and friends at this time.”

NHS Lothian deputy chief executive Jim Crombie said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with the family of Amanda Cox at this sad time.

“A police investigation is ongoing and we are assisting with their inquiries.”

A family friend said the new mother had suffered headaches since before the birth of her son Murray, who weighed just 3lb 7oz when he arrived last Thursday.

“Apparently she was going back to her room for medication but took a wrong turning and came out of the neonatal ward into a disused ward,” the friend told BBC News.

An online fundraising page has been set up to help Amanda's husband Michael pay for her funeral and fuel costs for the 25-mile trip to visit their son in hospital.