Drug given to increase contractions despite risks

A woman in labour at Cavan General Hospital continued to be given a drug to increase contractions despite evidence that her uterus was over-stimulated and her baby was in distress, an inquest heard.

Fiona Watters, of Tara Court Square, Navan, Co Meath gave birth to Jamie Flynn, who died in his mother’s arms at the Rotunda Hospital on November 24, 2012. He had been born two days earlier at the consultant-lead unit in Cavan General Hospital suffering from a severe brain injury as a result of oxygen deprivation, known as hypoxia.

Returning a verdict of medical misadventure, coroner Brian Farrell said hyper-stimulation of the uterus was the principal risk factor identified in the death.