Tererai Mutasa, 45, subjected Allyson Childs to “sarcastic” and “belittling” remarks at the troubled maternity unit in Queen’s Hospital, Romford.

Doctors fought in vain for more than 20 minutes to resuscitate 9lb 10oz Layla-Grace after she was born with the umbilical cord around her neck and having inhaled birthing fluid.

Devastated Ms Childs, 26, said that amid the trauma of labour and losing her baby, Ms Mutasa laughed at her for requesting painkillers.

Queen’s Hospital has apologised to Ms Childs over this and a further complaint about the “insensitive conduct” of an unnamed nurse who sent Ms Childs “rude” texts hounding her to return medical files.

Ms Childs said: “I am angry and disgusted. I’ve been let down massively by the hospital. I want a full inquiry. No woman should have to go through what I did.”

The trust running Queen’s is under fire over its maternity care after five women died in 18 months. Complaints against Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust rose by a third from 2009 to 2010.

Ms Childs claimed that during the traumatic birth Ms Mutasa treated her contemptuously. In response to her request for a Caesarean, the midwife allegedly said: “Do you think that won’t hurt? Believe me it will.” Ms Childs further claims Ms Mutasa told her mother to “find the scissors” to cut the umbilical cord.

An internal report also reveals the hospital added to the family’s distress by losing Layla-Grace’s pink bib. Queen’s apologised for this and for leaving the body in a bloodstained cot.

The hospital’s chief executive Averil Dongworth met Ms Childs and her partner Steve, 25 – who await the results of a post-mortem examination – and told them she was “moved and saddened” by their experience.

She said in a statement: “I offered Ms Childs and her family our sincere apologies. We will not tolerate poor standards of care.”

Ms Dongworth said Ms Mutasa “no longer works here” and that she would not have staff with similar attitudes.

Ms Mutasa was referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which will probe her competency to practise. EVENING STANDARD