A woman who was told at hospital that she had suffered a miscarriage when her baby was still alive has recovered an award of damages for the severe emotional distress she experienced.

She had originally gone to hospital concerned about her pregnancy after she suffered bleeding whilst at home. After undergoing a scan, the hospital told her she had miscarried and she was booked in to have a procedure to remove her baby.

Prior to returning to that hospital for the removal of her alleged, deceased baby, she attended the A&E Department of a different hospital because she continued to be in pain and was still bleeding.

That hospital arranged a further scan whereupon she was told that her unborn baby was still alive as there was a fetal heartbeat although there was a large haematoma around her baby. This was causing her bleeding.

She received reassurance and advice that she would need further monitoring and the blood would eject itself.

Sadly, several weeks later, she went on to miscarry her baby but by that stage, she had endured an unnecessary period of emotional pain and suffering after being told her baby had died.

There was a failure of the first hospital to interpret correctly the scan readings leading our client to believe she had suffered an incomplete miscarriage

Tracy Brimelow of the Medical Negligence team at M R Law who dealt with the case comments:

“For anyone receiving the news they have suffered a miscarriage it is devastating. Our client suffered unnecessary trauma and the knowledge that had she proceeded with the planned procedure at the first hospital she would have terminated a viable and much wanted pregnancy.

There was a failure of the first hospital to interpret correctly the scan readings leading our client to believe she had suffered an incomplete miscarriage. Fortunately, our client received the correct advice and care at the second hospital she attended where she was treated with sensitivity and provided with support.

The first hospital accepted they had made mistakes with the care of our client and we were able to secure a satisfactory offer of settlement on her behalf.”

If you have suffered complications arising from a pregnancy or the birth of your child, please contact our specialist medical negligence team to speak directly to a qualified and experienced lawyer.