Manchester hospital admits failings led to stillborn baby death

Yasmin became pregnant in late 2022, and was booked for midwife led care at St Mary’s Hospital, part of Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust, where she was classed as a low-risk pregnancy.

Yasmin’s first ultrasound took place in January 2023, during which she was given an estimated due date of 22 July 2023.

Yasmin’s pregnancy was uneventful until late April, when she started to experience reduced fetal movements. However, after attending an appointment at the hospital and raising her concerns, she was told that everything looked OK and that she could go home.

In the following months, Yasmin continued to experience issues with reduced fetal movement, prompting her to visit the hospital several times throughout May, June and July.

Yasmin also reported experiencing itchy feet during an antenatal appointment in late June, and found to have raised bile acids. These are both signs of obstetric cholestasis, which is a liver condition requiring medical follow-up. There was a discussion about arranging for an earlier delivery and Yasmin mentioned that she would prefer a c-section, but no plan was made.

On 4 July, Yasmin was admitted to hospital when she again reported reduced fetal movement. A cardiotocography (CTG) to measure the baby’s heart rate showed concerning results overnight, and Yasmin was told she would need to have an emergency c-section. However, after CTG results then improved it was decided this was no longer needed. Yasmin was sent home.

Yasmin was admitted to hospital again with reduced fetal movement a few days later on 7 July, but after a normal CTG was recorded, she was again sent home.

In the following days, it was decided that if the baby had not been delivered by 1 August, labour would be induced. Yasmin had asked for a c-section but was dissuaded from this following a discussion with a doctor.

Yasmin then experienced another episode of reduced fetal movement in the early hours of 31 July and visited the hospital, where a midwife was unable to find the baby’s heartbeat. A doctor performed an ultrasound and confirmed her baby, Aisha, had died in utero.

In the following days, Yasmin was given tablets to induce labour, but this was unsuccessful and on 3 August, she was informed she now had an infection and needed to have an emergency c-section.

Following the surgery later that day, Yasmin was informed by a midwife she had in fact had sepsis. She remained in the hospital for several days before being discharged on 9 August.

Yasmin was informed while in hospital that there were concerns with her antenatal care, and that an investigation would be taking place. The investigation report highlighted concerns that Yasmin had obstetric cholestasis and pre-eclampsia during her pregnancy, neither of which were managed in line with national or local guidelines.

Yasmin has struggled greatly with her mental health since the Aisha’s death, and had to delay returning to work following the conclusion of her maternity leave.

Yasmin has also suffered impacts on her close personal relationships, and has had to attend counselling.

Yasmin contacted the clinical negligence team at Leigh Day to investigate a legal claim on her behalf. Her claim was dealt with by clinical negligence solicitor, Sophie Bainbridge.

Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust admitted there were failings in Yasmin’s care and that with proper treatment, Aisha would have been born alive.

In 2026, a settlement was agreed taking into account the suffering, loss and psychiatric damage Yasmin experienced, as well as the impacts on her personal relationships and working life.

Leigh Day solicitor Sophie Bainbridge said:

“This was Yasmin’s first pregnancy, throughout which repeated instances of reduced fetal movement were not appropriately acted upon by the hospital. Sadly, this resulted in Yasmin’s baby dying in utero around the time of her due date, something for which the NHS trust has admitted liability. This ordeal has been truly awful for Yasmin, who has since suffered impacts on her mental health, personal relationships and working life. While a settlement can never truly make up for the loss and pain experienced, we hope it will be able to support Yasmin as she moves forward with her life.”