Robert Devine (42) and fiancee Barbara Mane (34) tragically lost daughter Amalia in October last year.

And having lobbied First Minister Alex Salmond the couple voiced their
grievances to Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon as she presented NHS Lanarkshire's annual review in Hamilton last Wednesday.

The couple and their supporters are campaigning for a minimum of four pre-birth scans, recognising umbilical cord accidents and an independent review of infant mortality classification.

Robert said: "We got a presentation scan performed privately at 36 weeks, to confirm that Amalia was in the correct birth position.

"The scan detected the umbilical cord around Amalia's neck or 'nuchal cord' when switched to 4D by the sonographer.

"That same afternoon we went for a routine appointment at Lanark Health Centre and the midwife was informed.

"We asked her about the risks and options; she stated that seven out of ten babies have nuchal cord and there was nothing to worry about.

"Our consultant was on holiday and instead we were offered a meeting to speak with another registrar consultant.

"The midwife left the room and came back with a doctor, who stated the same as the midwife.

"What we didn't know at the time was that it was a trainee; but according to the Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists trainees are supposed to be trained - not consult.

"The trainee wrote in our file that no intervention was required and said that no scan report was available, which it was.

"After an independent review of our medical records, we now believe that the NHS could have saved baby Amalia on numerous occasions.

"Our own consultant was not made aware of our concerns until the day Amalia was born, stating he knew nothing about Amalia having nuchal cord and was very sorry."

After Amalia passed away Robert and Barbara fought a heart-breaking four months to have her death certificate corrected from cause of death unknown, to birth asphyxia, due to umbilical cord compression.

And with 67 per cent of stillbirths being classed as unknown, the couple believe there are many more stories like theirs.

Robert said: "We went to see the head of pathologists at Yorkhill and he gave us a lot of advice.

"We believe the problems are in the classification of infant deaths.

"It's an embarrassment and a disgrace to our nation.

"The first certificate was issued the day our perfectly healthy baby died of ignorance.

"Antenatal care in Scotland is backward and it's disturbing, the lack of knowledge of some professionals.

"The high percentage of unknown deaths is a disgrace and must be fully investigated urgently."

According to NHS figures in 2006 there were 296 stillbirths in Scotland from 55,986 births, although the General Register Office for Scotland believe there were only 55,690 births during that year.

Unlike Barbara's home country of Argentina and the rest of the UK, some health boards in Scotland, including NHS Lanarkshire, give expectant mothers only one scan before the birth.

Barbara and Robert are demanding urgent change on this issue - in a bid to safeguard future parents against the pain they have suffered.

Robert said: "Our proposal is to have four scans with - one being a
pre-birth scan at 34 weeks to check the baby is in the right position and that there are no complications with the umbilical cord.

"The scanning system in Scotland is a disgrace to Professor Ian Donald who pioneered the ultrasound scan and gave this wonderful diagnostic tool to the world.

"Politicians and the NHS should bow their heads in shame!

"Neonatal deaths have been decreasing since 1974 but the rate of stillbirths hasn't changed since around 1981. That is another question I would like answered."

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon would only say that she was aware of the case.

And an NHS Lanarkshire spokesman said: "The case is currently with the ombudsman and it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time."

Since they began their campaign, Robert and Barbara have received support from all over the world -from fellow parents who have been in the same position.

Their ultimate dream is to open a pregnancy centre of excellence in Lanark.

Barbara said: "We have been contacted via e-mail by many mums who have lost babies."

Anyone wishing to contact Robert and Barbara can do so by e-mailing them at amaliadev@aol.com.