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A grieving young mum has spoken out for the first time about the dangers of breech births after her nine-month-old son died following a traumatic delivery.
Sophie Payne, 22, from Hythe, told how her son died when hospital staff failed to realise that her unborn son was in a dangerous breech position during labour.
Breech births occur when a baby is born bottom rather than head first.
An inquest at Chelmsford Coroner's Court, in Essex heard Sophie's son Henry Payne-Smith was starved of oxygen as it took midwives 23 minutes to deliver the rest of his body once his buttocks emerged.
The hearing was told scans taken during his mum’s pregnancy highlighted Henry was in the breech position at 30 weeks and 33 weeks.
However one of the midwives at Clacton Maternity Unit in Essex was unaware of the scan results.
The court heard the scan results were not kept on the same system as his mum’s antenatal medical records and that specific unit was not equipped to deal with breech deliveries.
When Henry was born on July 5, 2017, he suffered significant brain damage and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He died on May 1 last year.
The inquest concluded Henry died of natural causes after an undiagnosed breech in advanced labour and a difficult breech delivery.
Following the ruling, Sophie said: "I would not wish the pain I continue to live with over Henry’s death on anyone.
"The first time I got to see Henry properly was in hospital when all I could see at the end of the bed were wires.
"I would not wish the pain I continue to live with over Henry’s death on anyone..." - Sophie Payne
"I just broke down in tears. I didn’t want to see him like that.
"The doctors thought he would not survive and that we should say our goodbyes but Henry managed to defy the doctors.
"He was such an adorable and brave little boy who was a real fighter to the end."
Sophie's waters broke at 4.50am and midwives realised Henry was in the breech position at 4.55am.
However, Henry’s bottom came out first at 5.12am and the rest of his body was not delivered until 5.35am, the court was told.
An ambulance was called to transfer the baby to Colchester General Hospital in Essex which was nearly 40 minutes away from the midwifery led unit.
The hearing was told Henry had to be resuscitated and underwent emergency treatment following his birth.
He spent more than three weeks receiving specialist treatment before Sophie was allowed to take her son home at the end of August 2017.
Sophie, who was living in Clacton-on-sea, Essex joined her legal team at Irwin Mitchell in speaking out is campaigning to raise awareness of the dangers of a breech birth.
She said: “The nine months I had with him were the happiest of my life despite all the hurdles and challenges Henry faced."
Angela Tillet, medical director at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Clacton Hospital, said: “We wish to offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Henry’s family at this difficult time.
“The coroner heard evidence from the midwives involved and also from an independent medical expert, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Malcolm Griffiths, who said that the circumstances were tragic but unavoidable.
“The doctors thought he would not survive and that we should say our goodbyes but Henry managed to defy the doctors..." - Sophie Payne
“As with any tragic event where a life is lost we will review the coroner’s findings in detail and always strive to improve the quality of the care we provide to our patients and their families.”
Following his death Henry’s mum Sophie instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to look into her son’s care under Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust.
Sophie added: “The doctors thought he would not survive and that we should say our goodbyes but Henry managed to defy the doctors.
“He was such an adorable and brave little boy who was a real fighter to the end.
“I am heart-broken that Henry is no longer with us but we will never forget him. He will always be part of our family.
“While I know nothing will bring him back I was determined to gain answers for my little boy so hopefully other families do not have to experience the pain that I have.
"By speaking out I just hope that parents are fully aware of the potential dangers of their baby being in the breech position and, if they feel it is needed, ask questions and push doctors for answers so they can decide what is best for them".
