Rupert Sanders Was Born With His Umbilical Cord Wrapped Around His Neck

The parents of a baby boy who died following a traumatic birth are hoping for answers when the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) convenes today to determine whether two midwives will be stripped of their practice certificates.

Lauren and Robert Sanders, from Stoke-on-Trent, cradled baby Rupert in their arms as he died on December 27, 2012 - just three days after his Christmas Eve birth at Stafford General Hospital.

The couple instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate Lauren and Rupert’s care under Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, now known as University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, after concern that midwives failed to identify Rupert’s distress while in the womb.

The NMC, the regulatory body for nurses and midwives, is set to launch a seven-day hearing at its offices in Montfichet Road, London, today, to determine whether two midwives responsible for Lauren and Rupert’s care at Stafford General should be banned from practicing.

Lauren said: “Both Robert and I have suffered immeasurably from Rupert’s loss, and while nothing can bring him back we want to know that if these two midwives have made mistakes, they have learned lessons and our tragedy won’t be repeated.

“No new parent expects to leave hospital without their baby. I cannot begin to describe how that feels. But to then be plagued by questions about why it happened, what went wrong and whether anything could have been done to prevent it brings with it a new agony.

“All we now want are answers and the reassurance that no other baby or their parents will suffer as our family has.”

Lauren, then-27, was admitted to Stafford General Hospital at around 2.25pm on December 23, 2012 after going into labour at home.

At around 10.30pm, Rupert’s heartbeat was recorded as abnormal, but there was no recorded action taken.

When Rupert was born at 1.05am his umbilical cord was wrapped tightly twice around his neck and shoulder and his condition was poor. A paediatrician was called and began resuscitation before Rupert was transferred to the Special Baby Care Unit and then on to the neonatal intensive care unit at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where he suffered multiple organ failure.

Treatment was withdrawn on December 27, and Rupert passed away later that day.

Expert Opinion

“Losing a child in any circumstance is the stuff of nightmares, but losing a baby and not knowing why has deeply affected Lauren and Robert, especially during the birth of their second child, Betsy, in December 2013 and their youngest child, Edith in November 2015.

“Nothing can turn back the clock for them, but it is important for them to have answers as to why Rupert died so they can try and make sense of their loss and heal as best they can for the sake of their own health and for their young family.

“The NMC hearing will hopefully provide them with those answers.” Emma Rush - Partner

If you or your child have suffered a birth injury, our medical negligence lawyers could help you claim compensation. See our birth injury claims section for more information.