Rugeley Couple Instruct Medical Negligence Lawyers To Investigate

A newborn baby died from an infection more than a week after his mum, who said her waters had broken, was sent home from hospital and told she had wet herself.

Rebecca Walker was 26 weeks into her pregnancy with baby Charlie-Jay when she began to lose water. She attended Royal Stoke University Hospital, where she was scanned.

Despite her concerns, Rebecca, of Rugeley, Staffordshire, said she was advised that fluid loss was likely due to her wetting herself. She was discharged with a plan to repeat the scan in two weeks’ time.  She was also reassured that right-sided pain she reported was due to her baby leaning on a nerve.

Examination confirms woman's waters had broken one week ago

One week later, Rebecca was taken by ambulance to another hospital, again complaining of pain in her right side.  An examination confirmed her waters had broken one week ago.  There were also signs of infection.

Later that day, Rebecca began experiencing contractions.  She was transferred to another hospital equipped for delivery of a baby under 29 weeks.

Baby Charlie-Jay was born by emergency caesarean section. He was admitted to the neonatal unit with suspected sepsis – where the body attacks itself in response to an infection - and respiratory issues.

He died the following day, on 21 June, 2019.

Following the death of Charlie-Jay, who was Rebecca’s first child with her partner David Brindley, she instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate their care and help her access the specialist support she requires.

Forty-six-year-old urges medics to listen to concerns of mums-to-be

Rebecca, 46, has now joined her legal team in speaking out on how she continues to be affected by the loss of her baby son more than four years on.  She’s also urging medics to listen to the concerns of mums-to-be.

It comes after the lawyers secured a settlement for Rebecca from the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs Stoke Hospital.

Through NHS Resolution, the Trust admitted that had tests been performed during Rebecca’s initial hospital visit and a “rupture of membranes” diagnosed, treatment would have been given.  It also offered its “sincere condolences” to Rebecca and her family but denied liability for Charlie-Jay’s death.

Kayleigh Hunter is one of the specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell representing Rebecca.

Expert Opinion

“This is a truly tragic case in which a couple have been left devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of their baby.

“Rebecca and David also understandably had a number of questions and concerns over the care they received prior to Charlie-Jay being born and whether more could have been done to save their son.

“It’s our view that if an examination during Rebecca’s visit to Royal Stoke Hospital had been performed it would have shown evidence that her waters had broken and Rebecca would have received appropriate treatment to reduce the risk of infection and improve Charlie-Jay’s outcome in the event of pre-term delivery.

“While nothing can ever make up for the pain and grief they’ve suffered, we hope the settlement will go some way to providing the family with a degree of closure and help them to move forward with their lives as best they can.” Kayleigh Hunter, Medical Negligence lawyer

Baby loss: Rebecca's story

Rebecca has two sons and one daughter.

Her pregnancy with Charlie-Jay was classed as high risk due to having an underactive thyroid.  Following her initial hospital attendance on 12 June, Rebecca continued to leak fluid.

The pain wore off but returned suddenly on 19 June.

Rebecca was taken to hospital where she was told her waters were broken and infection had developed.  She was given fluids and antibiotics.

Charlie-Jay was delivered on 20 June.  He failed to respond to treatment and medics couldn’t get his oxygen levels up.  Rebecca and David, 35, were advised that their son wasn’t going to survive.

Mum pays tribute to baby boy who died aged one day

Rebecca said: “The news that Charlie-Jay wasn’t going to make it came as a complete shock to me and I remember begging the doctors to help him.

“He passed away in my arms. This was the first and last time I was able to hold him.

“Dave and I stayed in the hospital for around 24 hours afterwards but I found it difficult to even look at Charlie-Jay.  We were both absolutely devastated and having to tell my children that their baby brother had died was unbearable.

“My mental health has been hugely impacted by losing Charlie-Jay and for a long time I felt so much guilt that I couldn’t save him.  I really wish I had pushed for more to be done when I first went to the hospital as I didn’t feel like I had wet myself but I trusted the professionals.

“More than four years on, I’m still deeply affected.  I spend a lot of time at home as I feel safe there and I find it tough seeing other people with their babies.  I have had amazing support, however, from family and friends, Facebook support groups and SANDS charity.

“Nothing will ever make up for the pain we continue to feel, but I hope that by speaking out I can urge medics to listen to the concerns of mums-to-be.  We know our bodies and when something’s wrong, so please don’t be afraid to ask questions or for a second opinion.

“It’s also vital that people who have experienced baby loss know they’re not alone and there’s support out there.”

Find out more on SANDS

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting families affected by issues in maternity care at our dedicated birth injuries section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0808 303 8166.