Couple who aborted baby want inquest
Hospital terminated pregnancy before tests came back showing no fatal foetal abnormality
A COUPLE who terminated their pregnancy after a test suggested the presence of a fatal foetal abnormality are requesting an inquest be held into their baby’s death.
The couple complained to the National Maternity Hospital about the failure to await the results of a second test to confirm the abnormality before allowing the termination to proceed.
They say they were told there was no need for them to wait for the second test result before proceeding with a termination, according to reports yesterday, because it would make no difference.
The termination had taken place in March when the second test results came back to show there was no abnormality present.
The National Maternity Hospital has proposed an external review into the circumstances of the termination by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
It is understood that Caoimhe Haughey, solicitor for the couple, wrote to the Health Minister, the Attorney General and to the coroner’s office last week to press for an inquest into the baby’s death as a result of the termination. The couple are also expected to seek an input into the terms of reference of that review.
The couple underwent three tests for Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, a fatal chromosomal abnormality.
The first detected the probability of the abnormality occurring, while the second and third involved analysis of cell samples taken from the placenta.
The second test, a CVS test, detected the Edwards syndrome. The couple claim they were told this test was conclusive. The third test which is carried out in the UK involves examining the cell culture takes longer to process.
Experts pointed out last week that cells from the placenta can differ from the cells in the foetus and this may present discrepancies in test results.
According to reports yesterday, the couple say they were told the CVS result was conclusive.
Ms Haughey said last week that her clients wanted answers. She said the couple were utterly, mentally and physically devastated and their sense of loss and grief was interminable.
A spokesman for the National Maternity Hospital said it “does not disclose the content of engagement” between doctors and patients. “We always respect patient confidentiality,” he added.
A spokesperson for Health Minister Simon Harris said an appropriate external review was warranted and his concern was for the couple involved and respecting their privacy.