Our firm was recently involved in a case that revealed serious shortcomings in the care provided to a baby during labour and delivery. The independent medical expert who reviewed the matter identified several critical failures:
- Not moving to an emergency Caesarean Section despite prolonged signs of fetal distress.
- Attempting a forceps delivery when the baby’s position made this inappropriate.
- Carrying out the forceps procedure in an unsafe manner.
*Making repeated and excessive forceps attempts, including the use of undue force.
As a direct result, the baby suffered a severe intraventricular haemorrhage with hydrocephalus. This led to seizures, the need for anti-seizure medication, and urgent neurosurgical intervention. The child required removal of a large blood clot and the insertion of a drain to relieve pressure on the brain.
The outcome was devastating for the child and family, and it serves as a stark reminder of what can happen when maternity care does not meet accepted standards. While childbirth is never without risks, patients are entitled to expect that those risks will be managed competently and with appropriate urgency.
At Cian O’Carroll Solicitors, we are committed to helping families investigate and understand such failures in care.