Mother’s heartbreak as baby dies after several cancelled procedures at regional hospital
Baby Kayden died at just five days old after a difficult pregnancy and several cancelled procedures, with his devastated mother saying Swan Hill hospital could have done more to save his life.
Victoria
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A baby has died after weeks of bungling and multiple missed chances to save his life at a regional Victorian hospital.
Kayden Stone’s parents are now desperate for answers and action against those they believe are responsible for his August 5 death – just five days after he was finally delivered at Swan Hill District Health.
Swan Hill hospital is now being forced to overhaul its practices after a review of the horror birth and the events leading up to it.
The hospital’s maternity staff confirmed issues with Samantha Twaddle’s pregnancy on July 13 that made it too dangerous to continue beyond 38 weeks, but Ms Twaddle claims they refused her request for a Caesarian.
Instead, an obstetrician planned to induce Kayden’s early arrival three days later because he was growing dangerously large.
However, the hospital booked and cancelled the induction four times – on July 16, 21, 23 and 27 – before Ms Twaddle woke bleeding and was rushed to hospital for a tragic emergency birth.
“It should not have happened,” Ms Twaddle told the Herald Sun.
“He would be here if they had done what they were going to do and not let me go past 38 weeks.
“They were telling me for my entire pregnancy that I was having a big baby, but they still refused to do a caesar or allow me to have him (early).
“I want to know why.”
Even after Ms Twaddle presented at Swan Hill hospital bleeding at 4am on July 28 she claimed it took too long to detect her unborn baby’s heart had stopped and call in an obstetrician.
Moments after the obstetrician arrived at 7am, Ms Twaddle was rushed for an emergency Caesarian without even having time for an anaesthetic.
Kayden had to be resuscitated moments after his birth.
He was immediately flown to Melbourne for specialist care at the Royal Women’s Hospital.
Ms Twaddle and her partner Paul Stone had to drive to Melbourne hours later, while she was still recovering from the ordeal, but had no choice than to turn to turn off Kayden’s life support on July 5.
“He seemed okay for the first couple of days but, then, nothing,” Ms Twaddle said.
“He felt floppy, like he wasn’t there.
“We were taken to a separate room and were told that they would give us as much time as we needed to say goodbye.“
Already a mother of five, Ms Twaddle was first worried when scans 29 and 32 weeks into her pregnancy indicated Kayden was developing too big, though she said subsequent tests did not reveal any reason why.
When the July 13 scan showed the 37-week baby was already measuring larger than a 41-week pregnancy, Ms Twaddle said she was worried the hospital took no immediate action.
Swan Hill District Health chief executive officer Peter Abraham confirmed all aspects of the horror birth had been reviewed by a panel that included Safer Care Victoria oversight, an independent expert medical obstetrician and an independent regional midwife.
Mr Abraham offered his deepest sympathy Ms Twaddle and Mr Stone and said he “acknowledge the opinion of the family that Swan Hill District Health was unable to provide the best care experience for them”.
“The learnings and recommendations from this review are currently being adopted into practice,” Mr Abrahman said.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said Safer Care Victoria – Victoria’s health watchdog introduced in the wake of the Bacchus Marsh baby deaths scandal – would review and monitor findings of the Swan Hill review to ensure they are acted on in full.
“The loss of a child is a devastating event for any family and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time,” the DHHS spokesman said.
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