Expectant mother sent home “in agony”

Posted: October 4, 2014

Posted in: Birth Injury Medical Negligence Wrongful & Accidental Death 

A mother-to-be was sent home from hospital “in agony” only a couple of days before her baby died.  Amanda Skyes had been rushed into hospital during labour, but was told by doctors that she could not be induced, as she was not ten days over her due date.  Ms Skyes said in a statement that she felt “concerned” about being at home, having been discharged from hospital with paracetamol for the pain.

The following day Ms Skyes went into labour and was rushed to Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan. Midwives told her that the baby’s heartbeat was undetectable, but she continued to have a natural birth. The baby, Eloise Sykes-Winship, was born with severe cerebral palsy and organ damage. She died on the 12 March 2011.

“Should never have happened”

Doctors spent 25 minutes trying to resuscitate baby Eloise but she died thirteen hours later. Following her death, it was found that the umbilical cord had been caught round the baby’s neck during birth. This caused Eloise to have asphyxiated on amniotic and meconium fluid.  Coroner John Grittens said that the accident could have been avoided had the baby’s heart rate been monitored more closely and documented when the mother was given opiate drugs for pain relief.

He said that the hospital has already made vast improvements since the accident happened. He described the inquest as a “sad picture” of the care provided to Ms Skyes and her partner Jonathan Winship.

Mr Winship said: “This should never have happened”.

If you have been affected by medical negligence, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us. 

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