Woman died after being given drug to induce labour

A woman whose baby died in the womb went into cardiac arrest when her uterus ruptured soon after she was induced by doctors, an inquest heard.

Bimbo Onanuga, 32, a Nigerian national from St Margaret’s Rd, Finglas, in Dublin 11, died on Mar 4, 2010, just hours after doctors at the Rotunda Hospital administered a drug to induce labour to deliver the stillborn child.

Dublin Coroner’s Court heard that Ms Onanuga was almost 30 weeks pregnant when she presented at the Rotunda hospital three days before her death and doctors confirmed the absence of a foetal heartbeat.

Medically induced labour was started and Ms Onanuga was discharged.

She returned to the Rotunda two days later complaining of abdominal pain.

Dr Siobhán Corcoran said this would be normal. She saw her the next morning and administered the first dose of misoprostol, an ulcer medication commonly used for labour induction.

Dr Corcoran confirmed under examination by counsel for the family, Ciaran Craven, that she was aware that there are licensing issues with misoprostol’s use in inducing labour. However, she added that the drug is widely employed in obstetrics in Ireland.

Ms Onanuga collapsed in the afternoon, suffering a cardiac arrest when her uterus ruptured. An emergency c-section was carried out delivering the stillborn child. She was transferred to the Mater Hospital.

Dr Henry Frizelle, intensive care consultant, said that she continued to deteriorate and died later that night following another cardiac arrest.

The inquest was adjourned for further hearing in July.