Hundreds of people gathered at The Square in Barnstaple town centre to protest the temporary closure of birthing services at North Devon District Hospital, which the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said was due to staffing issues.
Expectant mothers said the decision meant they faced longer travel times to get to hospital, with the nearest maternity services located in Exeter and Taunton. The National Childbirth Trust said it was "deeply concerned" by the closure.
The trust said it shared "the determination of those demonstrating to see these services restored".
Sarah Henshall, who gave birth at the hospital in Barnstaple and was at the protest, said: "If I had given birth during the current maternity unit closure, it would have resulted in me giving birth on the way to Exeter, and me and my daughter would
Barnstaple Mothers Warn Maternity Unit Closure Could Be Deadly