A couple whose baby died five days after being born at the Coombe Women and Infants hospital in 2013 have told an inquest of their surprise at the fact no review or investigation took place after the boy’s death.
A hearing at Dublin Coroner’s Court yesterday into the death of Darragh Byrne, on February 19th 2013, was told of the devastation and loss felt by his parents Maree Butler and Eoin Byrne, from Woodgrove Lawns, Portlaoise, Co Laois, after their firstborn died.
“No words can describe the feeling of being told your baby might not survive,” Ms Butler said in a deposition read to the court.
Ms Butler was 33-years-old and 35 weeks pregnant when her waters broke at 9pm on February 14th 2013. She arrived at the Coombe Hospital an hour later.
“I was feeling like any first time mother, absolutely terrified,” she said.
Ms Butler was transferred to the labour ward early the following morning but progress was deemed slow and oxytocin, a drug used to induce labour, was administered. “I was pushing and pushing for what seemed like an eternity but nothing was happening,” she said.
Oxytocin
Barrister David Holland, for the family, said oxytocin was administered to dangerous levels in the circumstances. The court heard that a cardiotocography (CTG) scan had been unreadable from around 11am on the day.
Dr Michael O’Connell, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist who was on call at the Coombe on the day, said Ms Butler had been pushing with little descent. He said there was slow progress at the second stage of labour along with CTG loss and the decision was made to deliver the baby as fast as possible.
Ms Butler was brought to theatre to assess if a delivery with instruments was possible and if not a C-section would be performed.
“I remember lying on the bed feeling terrified but excited I was going to meet my baby,” Ms Butler said.
The baby’s father said it was a “nerve wracking wait” in theatre but when he saw Darragh arrive he was a navy blue colour, he looked lifeless and was making no sound. The baby was transferred to the neonatal unit. “I prayed to anyone who could hear me,” Mr Byrne said. “I went to the car park and cried my heart out...A tidal wave of emotions came over me.”
Newborns
He said it was heartbreaking to watch other parents with their newborns but when they went to see baby Darragh he looked well. “He looked like the healthiest baby there but in truth he was far from it,” Mr Byrne said.
In the hours after Darragh was born, Ms Butler said she struggled to find out what was happening. “I had no idea... nobody would tell me anything. The nurse said he was 5lbs 15oz and that’s all she knew.” She was later told that baby Darragh was very sick and might not make it.
The inquest heard that couple received an apology from the hospital for the failings in the care of their baby. This was issued to them in the past week but dated November 2015. Mr Holland said this was distressing for the family but what was “staggering” about the case was that no review or investigation had been conducted by the hospital in the wake of Darragh’s death.
Midwife Martina Theresa McDermott confirmed that she had not been asked to revisit the case prior to preparing a deposition for the inquest last February, two years after the event.
The inquest continues.