Baby died after ‘exhausted’ mum despatched dwelling simply 4 hours after start
A newborn baby tragically died after her ‘exhausted’ mum, who had just endured a lengthy labour, was sent home mere hours after giving birth, an inquest has revealed.
Baby Evelyn Grace March was only one day old when her mother accidentally fell asleep while attempting to breastfeed her in bed. The Coroner’s report details that Evelyn was born at Leeds General Infirmary on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 4.38am, following an extended labour.
Despite her mother being ‘exhausted’, having had little sleep since Sunday, September 24, she and her parents were discharged just four hours post-birth.
READ MORE: Ancient ‘death mask’ of ‘treacherous Brit’ uncovered behind wall of Costa Coffee branch
Click for more of the latest news from across the world from the Daily Star.
At approximately 1.45am on Wednesday, September 27, the unsettled baby was brought into her mother’s bed for breastfeeding. It is believed that the mother fell asleep during this time.
Upon waking around 4am, she found the baby unresponsive under her breast. Despite immediate emergency treatment, Evelyn could not be revived and was sadly pronounced dead at 7.50am at Leeds General Infirmary – the very place she had been born just a day prior, reports the Manchester Evening News.
While Evelyn’s cause of death was officially recorded as ‘unascertained’, the coroner suggested it is likely the death resulted from the accidental suffocation of the baby by a sleeping adult.
Senior coroner, Kevin McLoughlin, has voiced his belief that Evelyn’s tragic death may have been averted if she and her mother hadn’t been sent home so early after birth. Mr McLoughlin underscored fears of further fatalities occurring unless prompt measures are taken by the hospital.
In a stern report addressed to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, he explicitly aired his concerns. Furthermore, Mr McLoughlin insisted on the need for immediate intervention by the hospital. He declared: “In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your organisation have the power to take such action.”
The Trust now faces a 56-day deadline to provide a response to the coroner’s report, detailing actions already undertaken or those it plans to implement.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
