"my son had died and my world shattered. The hospital missed the window to save him."

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2020:

I had a very complicated pregnancy from early on, so I was referred to Oxford. My baby had severe IUGR, I had placental insufficiency, very low/no amniotic fluid, and early-onset preeclampsia, so I was kept as a patient.

A few weeks later, they sent me home for the weekend and told me to return Monday. On Sunday evening, I noticed my baby’s movements had reduced. Went back and a scan showed reversed blood flow and I was told I needed an urgent C-section.

Back on the ward, a midwife put a heart monitor on my baby and said, “It may not be effective as he’s only 26 weeks and very small.” I was told they would wait based on this result and to give steroids, which I recently learned is not standard of care for a baby in distress with these complications.

The next morning, it was too late—my son had died and my world shattered. The hospital missed the window to save him.

For years, I blamed myself and thought I was just a complex case. After joining the group and researching, I realised there were red flags that may point to negligence, like waiting instead of acting immediately and relying on a monitor that wasn’t appropriate for my baby’s condition.

I spent a long time wondering, “Don’t babies in distress get immediate care?”

Now I know I wasn’t wrong to think that.

I just wanted to give my baby the best chance at survival.