Newborn baby died after 'exhausted' mum was sent home just four hours after birth

An ambulance waits outside the A&E department at Leeds General Infirmary
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A newborn baby tragically passed away after her exhausted mother was discharged from the hospital just hours following a lengthy labour, an inquest has revealed.

Baby Evelyn was merely a day old when her 'fatigued' mum unintentionally fell asleep while attempting to breastfeed her in bed. The Coroner's report indicates that Evelyn was born at Leeds General Infirmary on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 4.38am, after a prolonged labour.

Despite her mother being "exhausted", having had little sleep since Sunday, September 24, she and her parents were sent home four hours post-birth, reports Yorkshire Live. At approximately 1.45am on Wednesday, September 27, the unsettled baby was brought into her mother's bed. While breastfeeding, the mother is believed to have fallen asleep.

Upon waking around 4am, the baby was found under the mother's breast, unresponsive. Despite immediate emergency treatment, Evelyn could not be revived and was sadly declared dead at 7.50am at Leeds General Infirmary - the same place she had been born just a day earlier.

While Evelyn's cause of death was recorded as "unascertained", the coroner suggested it is likely the death resulted from accidental suffocation by a sleeping adult.

Senior coroner, Kevin McLoughlin, expressed his belief that Evelyn's death could have been avoided if her mother had not been discharged so soon after birth. Mr McLoughlin further warned of the risk of future deaths unless the hospital takes necessary action.

LGI, part of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Leeds General Infirmary is part of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

A coroner's report sent to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has raised serious concerns following the tragic death. The mother suffered through an extended labour, with little rest from Sunday, September 24, until the birth at 4.38am on Tuesday, September 26, leaving her utterly fatigued. Merely four hours post-delivery, at 8.39am, the family was sent home.

The report suggests re-evaluating the policy of discharging mothers so swiftly after long labours and induced births. Allowing the mother to recuperate in the hospital with the knowledge that her baby was under supervision might have prevented this heartbreak.

Coroner Mr McLoughlin emphasised the need for immediate action by the hospital to avert future tragedies, stating: "In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your organisation have the power to take such action."

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust now has a 56-day window to reply to the report, outlining actions already taken or those it plans to implement.

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