£82.5k birth negligence compensation obtained for stillbirth of new born

A mother and father were recently awarded £82,500 as a result of psychiatric injuries following the stillbirth of their new born baby in October 2007 through birth negligence.

On 19 October 2007 the mother was admitted to the defendant hospital after going into spontaneous labour. The mother was found to be 2-3cm dilated but she was advised to go home and return when her contractions became more regular. She was readmitted the same evening at 21.45 and a CTG was commenced at 22.08. At 06.00 on 20 October, she was 4-5cm dilated and there was evidence of meconium.

At 09.10 an obstetric registrar advised Syntocinon. The plan was to review progress in 3-4 hours. Syntocinon was commenced at 09.25 at 3ml per hour and increased to 6ml per hour at 09.55.

Between 10.40 and 11.25 the CTG trace became suspicious and at 12.03 the CTG was incorrectly interpreted as reassuring, following which Syntocinon was increased.

At 13.30 Syntocinon was decreased and at 13.33 the mother was noted to be fully dilated, at which point the CTG was recorded as non-reassuring. However, Syntocinon was continued and neither the obstetric registrar nor the labour ward practitioner were informed.

From 14.15 onwards the CTG trace was pathological, but despite this Syntocinon was increased twice over the next half an hour. The obstetric registrar reviewed the mother at 15.25 and at 15.32 the plan was to attempt instrumental delivery.

The baby was delivered using forceps at 16.28. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice and there was no heart rate. Active resuscitation was commenced and at 19 minutes of age there was a heart rate of 60-80bpm. There was no further response and resuscitation was discontinued after 45 minutes.

At the inquest it was found that the baby had died from perinatal asphyxiation during labour. Both the mother and father suffered psychiatric injuries, including post traumatic stress disorder as a result of the hospital’s negligence.

Vanessa Wand, experienced birth negligence claim lawyer, commented on this case: "Sadly we see a lot of cases where the staff involved fail to interpret the CTG trace correctly, meaning that vital warning signs of a potential stillbirth are missed. This can have devastating consequences, as in this case."

If you or a member of your family have lost a child as a result of birth negligence then contact our experienced, caring claim lawyers on 0800 834 252 or email advice@braindamagedbaby-lawyers.co.uk to discuss your claim.

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