Couple told of care failures as baby died after five days

A couple, whose baby died aged five days old, has heard details of failures in his care at the Coombe Women and Infants Hospital three years ago.

Darragh Byrne died on February 19, 2013. At an inquest into his death, parents Maree Butler and Eoin Byrne, of Woodgrove Lawns, Portlaois, Co Laois, told of the devastation of their loss.

“No words can describe the feeling of being told your baby might not survive,” Ms Butler said in her deposition, read out at Dublin Coroner’s Court.

Ms Butler was 33 years old and 35 weeks pregnant when her waters broke at 9pm on Valentine’s Day 2013. She arrived at the Coombe 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. Oxytocin, a drug used to induce labour, was administered.

“I was pushing and pushing for what seemed like an eternity but nothing was happening,” said Ms Butler.

Representing the family, barrister David Holland posed the question that oxytocin was administered to dangerous levels in the circumstances. The court heard that a cardiotocography (CTG) scan had been unreadable from around 11am that day.

The consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Coombe, Dr Michael O’Connell, who was on call 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 in the fastest way possible.

Ms Butler was brought to theatre to assess if a delivery with instruments was possible. If not, a C-section would be performed.

Ms Butler said she recalled being wheeled down to theatre. “I remember lying on the bed feeling terrified but excited I was going to meet my baby,” she said.

Mr Byrne said it was a “nerve-wracking wait” in theatre but when he saw baby Darragh arrive he was a navy blue colour, he looked lifeless, and was making no sound.

“I prayed to anyone who could hear me,” said Mr Byrne. The baby, the couple’s firstborn, was transferred to the neonatal unit.

“I went to the car park and cried my heart out,” said Mr Byrne. “A tidal wave of emotions came over me.”

In the hours after her baby was born, Ms Butler said she had struggled to find out what was happening.

She was later told that Darragh was very sick and that he “might not make it”.

“No words can describe the feeling of being told your baby might not survive. I eventually saw my baby at 10pm that night.”

The inquest heard that the couple received an apology from the hospital for the failings in the care of their baby, 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 until last February, two years after the event.

The inquest continues.