A Co Galway woman has called for the inquiry into maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH) to be widened to encompass other women who lost their babies there.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) disclosed on Monday evening that individual external reviews were being conducted into the delivery of nine babies at PUH due to concerns over the provision of maternity services there.
The reviews are being carried out by two former masters of the Rotunda hospital, Professors Sam Coulter-Smith and Fergal Malone
It follows a separate inquiry which reported in 2018 that it found multiple serious failures. These included staffing issues, a lack of training and poor communication among maternity staff, which contributed to the death of three babies.
Plane with 64 onboard crashes near Washington DC after collision with military helicopter
Five security steps you need to take now on your phone
Ireland name team to play England: Live updates as Sam Prendergast picked to start at 10 for Six Nations opener
Finn McRedmond: I am tired of explaining Michael D Higgins’s words to incredulous English people
Ballinasloe-based Elizabeth O’Reilly has called for an explanation as to why the prenatal death of her daughter Bláithín, who died while her mother was being treated at the hospital in 2010, was not included in either inquiry.
Ms O’Reilly told The Irish Times she is aware of another woman who lost a baby at Portiuncula and was also not included in either inquiry.
“Why is the new inquiry only nine cases? Why are some people who lost babies not being included?” Ms O’Reilly asked.
“I would say the numbers of cases are much higher if they were really looking into it. I am sure there are plenty of women like me out there.”
Ms O’Reilly said she had successfully delivered three children by 2010 when she and her then husband were looking forward to the arrival of their fourth baby, Bláithín.
Ms O’Reilly was a catering services supervisor at the hospital and felt secure in dealing with staff there, many of whom she knew.
On a Thursday in early December 2010, she went to the hospital reporting some discomfort. It was three weeks before her due date.
She said she was told her blood pressure was a little high, but she was allowed to go home as she lived in the town and could come back quickly if necessary.
The following Sunday, she returned to the hospital as her symptoms had worsened. She said she was seen in the maternity ward and had a scan. Ms O’Reilly said she was told by a doctor the foetal heartbeat could be heard and she should relax.
However, the doctor told her that she should have another scan in the outpatient department as it was a stronger scanner, she said.
Ms O’Reilly recalled how she was shocked to later hear the doctor say “I am sorry to have to tell you there is no heartbeat”.
She said her reaction was to scream “this can’t be happening. You need to check it again”.
She said some medical staff told her that her baby would still have to be delivered “naturally” and she should go home and wait.
“How could I go home to my other children and tell them that Bláithín was gone, and still be the size of a house? How could I tell them where Bláithín was?” Ms O’Reilly asked.
She said she was given an epidural on the Tuesday night as she had not slept since Sunday and was worried about her strength. On Wednesday morning, her waters broke and Bláithín was delivered. She gave birth on Wednesday morning.
Ms O’Reilly said even years later, she is still affected by the coldness of some medical staff. She said she was put into an empty room beside the maternity ward but had to meet expectant mothers if she went to the lavatory.
Bláithín was put in a basket and some of the staff covered her face with a blanket, Ms O’Reilly said.
She said she was not told when Bláithín was being removed to Tullamore for a postmortem, although she knew that would happen at some stage.
Ms O’Reilly said she was given no counselling and no reason why Bláithín died, other than her heart had stopped. “I was not given even a leaflet with the name of anyone I could talk to. I had to get that from Google and other mothers,” she said.
Ultimately, she said she was left to wait at the door of the hospital while her then husband went to get the car to bring her home.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
