Overdose tragedy of pregnant mum
Woman expecting child with ‘long-lost brother’ had taken painkillers:
A MOTHER expecting a child with her “long-lost brother” died after an overdose of painkillers caused her liver to fail.
Annmarie Thomas, 35, died in hospital on September 26 – just days after being confronted about her “addiction” to overthe-counter painkillers.
An inquest in Pontypridd described pregnant Mrs Thomas as “a tomboy who liked playing outdoor games and taking risks” as a child.
But after witnessing the death of her grandmother in 2011 and her grandfather’s death in 2016, the Bridgend care assistant became “isolated” and started to buy over-the- counter painkillers to help with stomach pains.
On September 26 last year Mrs Thomas was taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital after complaining of vomiting and being unable to sleep. After being placed on a life-support blood dialysis machine, it was ruled her unstable condition and pregnancy made her an unsuitable candidate for an emergency liver transplant.
In a statement summarised in court, ex-husband Gareth Thomas said: “[Her grandmother’s death] had a massive impact on Annmarie’s mental and physi- cal health. She became increasingly isolated and started complaining of pain and other ailments.
“It was at this time that Annmarie started to take over-the-counter medication.”
He added: “[In 2011] Annmarie and her mother grew closer. She found out she had a long-lost brother – Ryan Murphy. In 2017 Ryan and Annmarie had face-to-face contact for the first time.
“Annmarie was getting better and better. She was finding comfort in it and was making up for time they had missed.”
Mr Thomas said he and his wife had married in 2004 and maintained a good relationship after their 14-year marriage came to an end.
The inquest heard Mrs Thomas formed a relationship with Mr Murphy in February 2018.
During the inquest Mr Murphy said he had returned to the home he shared with 22-weeks pregnant Mrs Thomas in North Cornelly on September 25.
He said: “I got home from work and Annmarie was complaining about being sick all day and having a really bad stomach. She had not eaten or slept for four days.
“She did not look very well and was very weak. The midwife advised me to call the NHS Direct.”
In a statement read in court the courier driver described himself as “devastated” by his partner’s death.
He said: “We had a very loving and happy relationship together. We had massive plans for the future regarding our home life and unborn child. She never failed to tell me how much she loved me.”
Asked about Mrs Thomas’ “addiction” to painkillers he said: “We didn’t meet each other until December [2017]. I didn’t know I had Annmarie as a relative until she contacted my mother about six years before that. I didn’t know about the addiction. It became more clear when I moved into the house with her. I didn’t know about the quantities – it was just something that Annmarie always did.”
Giving evidence, intensive care doctor Joseph Riddell said he was alerted to Mrs Thomas’ condition in the Princess of Wales Hospital after a blood test was taken by a trainee doctor.
Dr Riddell said: “She was hyperventilating, which is the body’s response to having acidic blood.”
Dr Ridell said Mrs Thomas went on to suffer two cardiac arrests, both before and after being fitted on to the dialysis machine, but was revived both times.
After contacting King’s College Hospital in London, the hospital was told Mrs Thomas was “unsuitable” for a “super-urgent liver transplant” due to her unstable condition and pregnancy.
Dr Riddell said: “She received a cocktail of very potent cardiac support drugs. Despite that, her circulation continued to deteriorate as her blood pressure continued to drop. She died on maximum life support.”
Returning a conclusion of non-illicit drug-related death, assistant coroner Nadim Bashir said Mrs Thomas had died of rapid onset liver failure caused by unintentional paracetamol overdose.