Mother of two secures £7,500 settlement after experiencing avoidable post-caesarean pain

A mother of two suffered with avoidable and prolonged abdominal pain after products were retained following a Caesarean section.

The 26 year old was admitted to Epsom General Hospital in November 2017 to undergo an elective category 3 Caesarean section under spinal anaesthetic for her second child, due to a failed induction.

Her baby was delivered with forceps and the placenta and membranes were noted to have been checked and the cavity was noted to have been checked twice.

Postnatal observations were noted to be within the normal limits and the Claimant and her new-born baby were discharged on 10 November 2017.

Following her discharge from hospital, the Claimant began bleeding heavily and experiencing severe abdominal pain which she thought was normal following a Caesarean section.

On 21 December 2017, the Claimant attended Green Oak Children’s Centre for her son’s six week check-up. She informed the midwife of her ongoing bleeding and pain and she was advised to attend A&E.

On the same day, the Claimant called 111 and explained her concerns and again was advised to attend A&E so she went to St Helier Hospital.

Blood tests were taken and as a result, she was referred to a gynaecologist for a review. The gynaecologist was of the view that the Claimant was suffering with endometriosis or retained products of conception. They arranged for an ultrasound scan to rule out the latter and this took place the following day.

When the woman was scanned, it showed retained products. It was arranged for the Claimant to undergo evacuation of retained product and she was prescribed oral antibiotics.

On 3 January 2018, the Claimant returned to St Helier Hospital to undergo the evacuation of retained products under general anaesthetic. She was discharged the same day with oral antibiotics.

The Claimant contacted Fletchers Solicitors who were able to secure a settlement of £7,500 from Epsom and St Helier University Hospital NHS Trust. She had suffered with avoidable and prolonged abdominal pain and bleeding and then had to undergo the evacuation of retained products.

Stephanie Davies, Litigation Executive in the Medical Negligence Team at Fletchers Solicitors, said: “I hope the compensation that the Claimant has received will go towards helping her move forward from this ordeal and go towards spending quality time with her son that she had missed out on. This case highlights the importance of robust checks following child birth.”