Successful claim after CTG misinterpretation results in avoidable stillbirth | Baby Loss Awareness Week

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

Our expert birth injury solicitors successfully handled a claim relating to the negligent actions involving a failure to activate the Dawes Redman Criteria for computerised analysis of the cardiotocography (CTG) traces when our client was 35 weeks pregnant resulting in the avoidable stillbirth of her son. 

The Incident 

Our client’s first pregnancy should have been a joyful milestone. Instead, because of failures in maternity care, she endured the avoidable stillbirth of her son. 

She had recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and, from the outset, required close antenatal monitoring. A plan was put in place by the multi-disciplinary team at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, including regular scans and specialist reviews. 

But despite warning signs, including a significant growth spurt, raised pulsatility index, and concerns with foetal wellbeing, her care was not escalated as it should have been. Doctors reassured her that a vaginal birth was the safest option and stressed the importance of reporting reduced foetal movements. 

In the days that followed, CTG monitoring was carried out – but there was a failure to activate the Dawes Redman Criteria for computerised. Abnormal heart rates were overlooked, and the trace was discontinued too early. Crucial opportunities for escalation and further review were missed. Our client was discharged without adequate checks, only to return days later in labour. An ultrasound confirmed her baby had died. 

Instead of welcoming their baby, our client and her partner were forced to endure a devastating labour and the heartbreak of arranging a funeral for their son. 

The Impact 

The emotional toll was unimaginable. Alongside the stillbirth, our client suffered physical injuries including a second-degree tear and blood loss, and long-lasting psychological trauma. What should have been a time of joy became one of grief, trauma, and loss. 

The Case 

Our client placed her trust in our specialist birth injury team to seek answers and justice. The case was led by Alice Keighley, an experienced Chartered Legal Executive at Fletchers, who investigated serious failures in care. 

It was alleged that the Trust had: 

• Failed to properly monitor and interpret CTG traces 

• Failed to escalate to obstetric review when abnormal readings were recorded 

• Negligently discharged our client without adequate surveillance 

• Failed to diagnose foetal vascular malperfusion and related complications 

Alice argued that, with the correct care, our client would have undergone an induction or caesarean, avoided a traumatic labour, and, most importantly, her baby’s life could have been saved. 

Despite clear evidence of care failings, the Trust denied that these caused the stillbirth. Nonetheless, Alice’s persistence ensured the family received a settlement of £35,000, which included funeral costs for their son. 

The Outcome 

For our client, no settlement could ever replace her baby. But achieving accountability and securing compensation has helped her begin to move forward. 

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

At Fletchers Solicitors, our birth injury specialists combine expert legal knowledge with compassion and care. We’ve supported hundreds of families, securing answers and vital compensation to fund therapies, housing, and lifelong support. Recognised by The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, the Law Society, and AvMA, we are trusted nationwide for our expertise. 

But above all, we listen. We stand beside families through the hardest times, ensuring their voices are heard and their futures protected. 

Because when maternity care goes wrong, every family deserves answers, justice, and hope for the future. 

Learn more about our birth injury experts, Trevor Ward, Sahida Patel, who lead our specialist department dedicated to supporting families affected by birth injury. 

If you would like to learn more about the types of birth injuries we specialise in, you can do so here. 

If you want to speak to our experts about a claim, we are here to help, speak to us without obligation today.