Mother who had stillborn baby wins NHS payout after bungling doctors dismissed her stomach pains and sent her home with a leaflet

• Emily Hart, 26, and Liam Ingram, 27, lost their daughter Luna in July 2021

A heartbroken mother who had a stillborn baby girl just days after doctors dismissed her symptoms and sent her home with just a leaflet has won a payout from the NHS.

Emily Hart, 26, was rushed to the Royal Berkshire Hospital when she was 39 weeks pregnant after she complained of stomach pains and not feeling her baby move.

Her partner Liam Ingram, 27, begged medics three times to induce her but the couple were not referred to an obstetrician and were instead sent home with a leaflet giving advice on early labour.

An investigation has now found that had doctors at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust referred her for inducement, little Luna would have survived.

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust admitted breaching their duty by failing to offer Ms Hart an obstetric review. 

Emily Hart, 26, was rushed to the Royal Berkshire Hospital when she was 39 weeks pregnant, accompanied by her partner Liam Ingram

Emily holds Luna’s hand after the traumatic birth – it was found if she was induced when first admitted to hospital the baby would have survived

Ms Hart desperately wanted to be induced into labour, but was denied this option by medical staff and instead sent home. 

Four days later on July 25, 2021, Ms Hart complained of stomach pains and the couple called the hospital who advised her to stay at home.

She was finally admitted to a ward 12 hours later at around 11.55pm, following a second phone call to the hospital.

Unfortunately once there, medics could not hear the baby’s heart rate and following scans the couple were told in the early hours of July 26 that their baby had died.

Ms Hart was then induced into labour and delivered baby Luna 15 hours later.

She said: ‘I was concerned that Luna wasn’t moving as much as she had so we thought the thing would be to go to hospital and get checked out.

‘As well as being worried about Luna’s reduced movements, I was in quite a lot of pain, so we asked if it was possible for me to be induced.

‘However, we were told no as it would be detrimental Luna’s health, although we were not told why. We were told everything would be fine and I was sent home.

‘It felt like we were just dismissed as we were young parents.

‘When we went back to hospital nothing prepared us for finding out that Luna had died.

‘We were absolutely devastated and having to give birth to Luna was traumatic.

‘Afterwards I spent five days in hospital and we treasured what time we got to spend with Luna. All we wanted to do was bring Luna home with us. Having to leave hospital and her behind was heart-breaking.’

Stricken by grief, the devastated couple from Reading, Berkshire, instructed medical negligence lawyers Irwin Mitchell to look into the tragedy.

An investigation revealed Ms Hart should have been referred to an obstetrician to discuss being induced when she first came into hospital.

The couple with their son Ruben, who was born safely last November

The couple had floral tributes to their daughter Luna, who died before being born in July 2021

Liam holds Luna’s hand as they spent time with her in hospital while Ms Hart recovered

Through NHS Resolution the Trust admitted that had a referral been offered, Luna could have been delivered earlier and would have survived.

Ms Hart said: ‘Liam and I were so excited and spoke at length about what we’d do when Luna was born.

‘We were the most well-prepared parents. We had a pram, a pushchair, a crib and a Moses basket, all ready for Luna.

‘I had bought six big boxes full of baby clothes and the entire nursery was kitted out.

‘We had bottles, formula, nappies, wipes and cleaners, everything you could possibly need.’

In April 2022 the couple found out they were expecting again. Ms Hart gave birth to their son, Ruben, last November.

She said: ‘When we found out we were expecting again it was a time of real mixed emotions.

‘We were happy but apprehensive because of everything that happened to Luna.

‘I felt like I couldn’t carry a baby to full-term and it was agreed with the hospital from an early stage that I’d be induced early as I didn’t want to go over the mark when I felt I should’ve been induced with Luna.

‘If I had been told I had to go [past the due-date], I don’t think I would have coped.

Mr Ingram said: ‘We feel so blessed to have Ruben in our lives but it remains difficult not to think how Luna should be at home with us, growing and developing and creating mischief with her little brother.

‘We’d give anything to turn back the clock and for things to be different but we know that’s not possible.

‘All we can do now is share what happened to us to make other parents aware.

‘By speaking out we just hope lessons can be learned as we wouldn’t wish what we’re going through on anyone.’

Irwin Mitchell has secured an undisclosed settlement for the couple from the Trust.

Lawyer Sophie Smethurst, who represented the couple, said: ‘What should’ve been such a joyous time for Emily and Liam ended in heartbreak with Luna’s death.

‘Both Emily and Liam are adamant that they would’ve gone ahead with an induction of labour if they’d been offered it and are devastated this opportunity was not given to them.

‘Sadly, we continue to see too many families left devastated by care failings.

‘Therefore, it’s now vital that lessons are learned from this case to help improve maternity safety for others.’

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