Heartbroken mum of baby who died because of failings in care says... ‘I’m so angry that Noah did not get every chance to live’
AHEARTBROKEN mum who lost her baby because of failures in care at a Birmingham hospital is calling for lessons to be learned after the Trust admitted a “missed opportunity” to save her baby.
Fiona McGrath, 43, is still struggling with the devastation of losing her son Noah at Birmingham Women’s Hospital in December 2016.
A report into the case found that the death of her baby could have been avoided if a caesarean section had been performed more quickly.
The Trust said in a statement that the hospital had “let Fiona down at a time when she needed us the most”.
Fiona, from Yardley Wood, visited the hospital on December 9, 2016, for a membrane sweep – a procedure to try to induce labour.
She mentioned to medics that she thought the baby’s movements had reduced, and she was referred to the maternity unit for tests.
But after the baby’s heart rate and movement was found to be good, she was sent home.
Just a few hours later, her waters broke and plans were put in place for a caesarean because medics had concerns about her baby’s heart rate.
“It was horrific,” says Fiona. “I was awake throughout my time in theatre and, while there was a lot of talking, nothing was happening.
“I started to get very distraught and demanded that they get my baby out, but no one was listening to what I saying.”
Fiona was moved to a room where her partner was waiting. There, he broke the tragic news that their baby Noah had died.
The distraught mum then had to deliver stillborn Noah naturally after her terrible ordeal.
A subsequent investigation by the NHS Trust found that there were failures by the team in theatre and a communication breakdown.
It concluded that midwifery staff were too focused on locating a heart rate, when they should have been undertaking the caesarean section.
Fiona instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell and, after pursuing the case, the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust have admitted failures by the whole theatre team.
“It was incredibly difficult to let Noah go,” says Fiona. “I spent a couple of days in hospital with him after he was delivered, very hard.
“I was given a tablet to stop milk production and it didn’t work, so it just kept reminding me of what I had lost.
“I still struggle to sleep and can’t stand being alone. I get upset when I’m out and see mothers with newborns or toddlers.
“I’m still so angry that Noah did not get every chance to live and that the hospital should have done more. “Lessons have to be learned.” Fiona is speaking about her ordeal to raise awareness of the issues, and the impact on families, following SANDS (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death) Awareness Month.
Emma Garner, the legal expert at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Fiona, says: “The loss of a child is something no parent should ever have to face, yet sadly Fiona not only experienced the trauma of stillbirth but has since learned that the standard of care she received should have been higher.
“Sadly through our work, we have seen the terrible impact that stillbirth and neonatal death have on so many lives and SANDS Awareness Month is an important time to reflect on this and how we can ensure those affected get better levels of support.
“It is also vital that healthcare providers learn lessons from each and every case of this kind, so that ultimately standards improve and the same problems never emerge again in the future.” but there it was