Mother Speaks Out After Baby Loss and Legal Battle with Nottingham Hospitals Over Disputed Care

A grieving mother from Newark has spoken publicly for the first time about the pain of losing her baby daughter — and the added trauma of having her version of events repeatedly disputed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust throughout a recently settled legal claim.

Ashley Lamb, 28, from Newark, Nottingham, settled her case earlier this year. But with the Trust making no admission of liability, she says the process has left her deeply distressed and disillusioned — not only because of what happened during her pregnancy, but because of how her concerns were handled in the aftermath.

Her pregnancy involved several Nottinghamshire hospitals. A routine scan at King’s Mill Hospital in March 2021 identified a possible heart defect. However, there was then a significant delay in referring her to the Fetal Medicine Unit at Queen’s Medical Centre for an amniocentesis — a test normally performed between 15 and 17 weeks’ gestation.

The procedure was eventually carried out at Nottingham City Hospital on 12 April 2021, when she was almost 23 weeks pregnant. Shortly after, she went into labour and gave birth prematurely at Nottingham City Hospital on 19 April. Her daughter, Lexie, sadly died at Queen’s Medical Centre on 17 July 2021.

Following her loss, Ashley lodged a formal complaint with the Trust and attended several meetings to raise her concerns. However, she says she did not feel listened to and was left frustrated by what she describes as inconsistent information and a defensive response.

Still searching for answers, she instructed Fletchers Solicitors to investigate the care she had received. A legal claim was brought against Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, alleging a failure to provide timely referral to specialists, a failure to properly inform her of the risks associated with a late amniocentesis, and substandard performance of the procedure itself.

“I didn’t want to have to take legal action,” Ashley said. “But I felt I had no choice. The Trust wasn’t listening to my concerns about the care I had received, and they were disputing so much of what I remembered. I was desperate for someone to take it seriously.”

While the case has now concluded, she says that in the absence of an admission of liability or a meaningful apology, she has been left feeling not only devastated but dismissed. She also fears that no meaningful learning has taken place.

According to Ashley’s recollection, the amniocentesis was attempted four times — initially by a trainee doctor, then by a supervising consultant. She describes the experience as frightening and traumatic and says she was not warned that carrying out the procedure at almost 23 weeks could increase the risk of early labour.

The Trust disputes this, pointing to a consent form signed by the patient, which noted a general 1% risk of miscarriage.

After attending a debrief meeting with the hospital, the mother submitted a series of follow-up questions. In response, a Consultant in Obstetrics and Feto-Maternal Medicine acknowledged in writing that it was “not normal” to insert the needle four times during an amniocentesis, though “occasionally it can happen if it is difficult getting the needle tip into the amniotic cavity.”

The consultant also confirmed that making four attempts increased the risk of preterm labour from 1% to 2–3%, and clarified that amniocentesis is normally performed between 15 and 17 weeks’ gestation. While all procedures carry some risk, the consultant noted that a miscarriage earlier in pregnancy carries different implications to a live premature birth followed by neonatal death.

“I truly don’t feel that the risks were properly explained to me,” Ashley said. “And I don’t believe the right processes were followed — the risks I faced were far higher than they should have been. I was never told the procedure could involve four attempts with a needle. That’s not what informed consent looks like.”

She added: “If someone had truly learned from this — if better training was in place to guide how and when this procedure is carried out — then maybe some good could come from what happened. But the Trust isn’t listening, so I don’t have any faith that lessons have been learnt.”

Despite the written acknowledgment, the Trust has continued to dispute key aspects of her account — including the number of attempts made, the experience level of the clinician involved, and whether she had been adequately informed of the risks.

“I’ve never had a proper apology,” Ashley said. “Just legal letters telling me I’m mistaken. That’s what’s been so hard — losing my baby and then being treated like I imagined it all.”

Francesca Paul, a solicitor at Fletchers Solicitors, who represented the family in their case against the Trust, said: “This is not only a tragic loss for a young mother, but a troubling case where the Trust’s response has left a grieving parent feeling unheard and discredited.

“Our investigations supported her concerns, including serious issues around the timing and conduct of the amniocentesis. But instead of engaging meaningfully, the Trust has chosen to challenge her memory of events — an approach that only compounds the trauma families like hers face.

“For our client, this was never about money. In cases involving the death of a baby, the compensation awarded is modest and symbolic. The settlement doesn’t reflect the impact of her loss, and it certainly isn’t why she brought this case. It was about accountability and answers — and sadly, she still doesn’t feel she’s had either.”

The Trust is currently under national scrutiny as part of the Ockenden Review, which is investigating longstanding concerns about maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Ashley says she fears her case is part of a wider pattern of denial and defensiveness.

“I just want people to listen,” she said. “I want them to hear what it feels like when your baby dies, and then you’re told your memory of it all is wrong. My daughter mattered. This matters.”

For Every Birth. For Every Baby. For Every Family.

“Handling cases of this nature requires a profound level of empathy and understanding. The psychological trauma experienced by parents is immeasurable and must be approached with great sensitivity.”

Victoria Plesca, Associate & Birth Injury Lawyer