Telford baby inquest told of delivery fears

The comments came at the inquest into the death of Oliver Smale, who died when less than a day old, after being delivered with forceps at the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, on March 13.

At the second day of the inquest, Shropshire Coroner John Ellery heard how Oliver's mother Rowena had arrived at the hospital shortly after 7pm on March 12 in what was believed to be premature labour.

A plan was agreed where if she had not made "significant progress" towards a natural labour then a Caesarian would be carried out – particularly because Mrs Smale was considered 'high-risk' due to epilepsy and Oliver was a large baby.

Midwife Anita Timmis was in charge of Mrs Smale's care when she was admitted to the ward, and confirmed that there had been repeated requests to have a Caesarian.

She told the coroner that she had completed a final examination of Mrs Smale before her shift finished at 9.30pm and did not consider that the progress had been significant enough to go on with a natural birth.

Under questioning from Stephen McNamara, on behalf of the family, she said that according to the plan it had been understood that a Caesarian would be carried out.

She said: "It is fair to say everyone expected it to happen."

During the evidence Mr Ellery heard that the family were later involved in a "heated discussion" with doctor Zahid Quadri, who believed that the birth should be 'augmented' with an 'artificial rupture of the membrane' – despite Mrs Smale's wishes that the birth not be augmented, as stated in her care plan.

Katherine Berney, a midwife who took over Mrs Smale's care at the change of shift, said there had been a "heated discussion" between the doctor and the family, who had expressed concerns about the risks to the baby if not born by Caesarian section.

Mrs Berney said: "I know the family were unhappy and it was against the plan. I prompted the family to see if they were not happy with the plan to speak up."

Nicola Jayne Jones, sister and midwife in charge of the ward, said that Dr Quadri had told her he believed Mrs Smale's mother, Myrtle Trevor, was obstructing his attempts to provide care.

She said: "He thought Myrtle was influencing Rowena to give her a Caesarian section. He said she thought she was obstructing him in his efforts to provide the care he thought was most appropriate."

Mrs Jones told the inquest she had also thought a Caesarian would be the best course of action and raised concerns with Dr Quadri about the risks involved otherwise – specifically the complications in Oliver's delivery that involved his shoulders obstructing a natural birth.

The inquest had heard how after further discussions the family agreed to progress with the plan suggested.

Mr Ellery heard that when Oliver was delivered at 1.54am he was pale and had to be resuscitated after failing to respond.

The inquest was told that his condition deteriorated and his parents had agreed to turn off his life support machine.

The inquest continues.