Last updated on April 6th, 2017 at 02:10 pm

Sent home with irregular contractions

Ms A, aged 37 at the time, became pregnant with her first child in 2012. Her baby was due to be born on 13 March 2013. On that date Ms A started to have irregular contractions and it appeared that her waters had broken. She telephoned the labour ward just before midnight but was told to stay at home until the contractions became regular. When she contacted the hospital the following morning she was told to attend, and did so at about 7.30am. A midwife examined Ms A, noting she was 3 – 4 cm dilated and the contractions were still irregular. There was also a query relating to spontaneous rupture of membranes and early labour. Ms A was sent to the labour suite where another midwife took over. Ms A had been sick during the day, but was told it was normal. At 22.15 the same evening the midwife noted no evidence of spontaneous rupture of membranes, gave Ms A pain relief and sent her home. She was told that she should re-attend once the contractions were 3 in 10 and 1 minute long, or to ring if she encountered any problems before that.

Second visit to hospital found baby had died

The next day, Ms A telephoned Barnsley Hospital as she was still suffering from various symptoms. She was told to attend and arrived at around 8.45am. A midwife and a consultant examined Ms A and found no heartbeat from the baby. She was told that the baby had died and had to go through a normal labour, assisted by forceps. Her baby was stillborn at around 2pm that day. It was later confirmed that Ms A had suffered from the bacterial infection ‘group A streptococcus’.

Ms A was taken to the high dependency unit, where a second infection was noted and where she received treatment. The consultant said that Ms A should not have been sent home after her first visit the previous day.

Grief and suffering after stillborn baby

Dealing with the grief of the loss of her child led to emotional suffering for Ms A, who had to take 8 months off work and attend bereavement counselling. She wants another child, but as her fertility is less than it was 3 years ago, Ms A now requires IVF treatment in order to conceive.

Specialist legal attention

Graysons took up Ms A’s case and pursued Barnsley Hospital NHS Trust for breach of duty and medical negligence due to negligent management in the early stages of Ms A’s labour. The hospital admitted liability early and agreed to a settlement of £29,000. Ms A says “Thank you for all your help and dedication throughout my case.   I know that you truly believed in me and the reasons I pursued my claim.  The money will help me rebuild my future and my family but also give me some peace in my heart that I got justice for my little boy; and hopefully better care in other people’s lives with the lessons learned.”

Neonatal cases are always traumatic for the whole family, of course, and need the attention of someone who has plenty of experience of dealing with them, as well as the ability to fully understand, and help manage, the client’s emotions.

For help and assistance, contact one of our experts now.