Midwife from Newmachar found guilty by Nursing and Midwifery Council of drugging expectant mothers

A nursing watchdog said the only plausible explanation was a desire to speed up labour in order to "serve the midwife's own interests". It found she had shown "reckless behaviour...which other midwives would find deplorable".

In total, 13 of the mothers had to undergo an emergency caesarean section after Mrs Stewart gave them Syntocinon, which causes the muscles in the uterus to contract.

No babies were killed by her actions, but two had to be resuscitated at birth and one had to spend time in a neonatal unit.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) are set to remove Mrs Stewart from the register - meaning she will never be able to enter the profession again.

Police investigated Ms Stewart in 2010 but no criminal proceedings were brought. The Crown Office could now reopen the investigation.

NMC case presenter Michael Collis told the hearing: "Thirteen of the 15 mothers underwent caesarean sections as a result of the...registrant's actions.

"The only logical explanation that has been put forward as to why the registrant might have have behaved in this way...is a desire to speed up the women's time in labour in order to serve the registrant's own interests."

The panel submitted that it represents a "serious departure from the acceptable standards" of a registered midwife.

The panel found Ms Stewart guilty of administering a "bolus" - intravenous - dose of the drug to 15 of the 20 mothers.

In one instance, two different mothers were given the drug on the same day, 23 November 2009, resulting in both of their fetuses experiencing a reduced heart rate.

One woman had to have a Category 1 caesarean section, where there is an immediate threat to life of the mother or fetus.

All cases took place between 3 November 2007 and 13 March 2010 at the Aberdeen Maternity Hospital where Ms Stewart worked.

The 48-year-old has claimed the cases were down to "bad luck".

Dr Jean Turner, a patron at the Scotland Patients Association, said NHS Grampian needed to examine whether they should have spotted Ms Stewart's actions sooner.

She said: "It does seem to have taken an inordinate length of time to get something done. Whatever system they had in place - it needs to be looked at."

"It's a miracle that none of the babies were killed."

A Crown Office spokeswoman said: "The Procurator Fiscal at Aberdeen received a report concerning a then 45-year old female in connection with alleged incidents occurring between April 2001 and March 2010 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

"Following an extensive investigation by Grampian Police, and after full and careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, including the available evidence, independent Crown Counsel instructed that there should be no proceedings at this time."

She said it reserves the right proceed in the future should "further evidence become available."

Dr Tara Fairley told the hearing last month that one baby's heart rate fell in under four minutes from a healthy 110bmp to a critical 66bmp.

This drop is known as bradycardia, a fetal heart rate of fewer than 100 beats per minute which can result in distress, jaundice and even death.

Dr Fairley said an intravenous dose of a labour-inducing drug was the only logical explanation, adding the drug Syntocinon could only be prescribed by a doctor.

The panel decided that Mrs Stewart's fitness to practice was impaired and is to impose a sanction today.

Chair Anne Booth said they found it "plausible" she acted to "speed up the labour process for her own purposes".

She said: "The mothers were in a vulnerable position and had placed their trust in Mrs Stewart.

Ms Booth added: "She performed a deliberate act which increased the risk of serious harm to mothers and their unborn babies, the consequences of which could have been life-threatening."

NHS Grampian, said it was unable to comment