A doctor said it “didn’t cross his mind” a new mother who died after giving birth had herpes, an inquest has heard.

Dr God’swill Etokowo helped deliver Samantha Mulcahy’s baby via C-section back in 2018.

Ms Mulcahy, 32, from Hawkinge, had the procedure at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, and died of herpes shortly after giving birth.

Kim Sampson, 29, from Whitstable, suffered the same tragic fate after having a C-section at the QEQM in Margate.

Both hospitals are run by the East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust.

Kent's coroner's service had originally decided not to hold inquests into the deaths of the two new mums, but U-turned after an investigation later found both C-sections were performed by the same surgeon, who could have infected the women with herpes.

Yesterday, an inquest heard how Dr Etokowo worked alongside another surgeon, who has been granted anonymity, and was “worried” when Ms Mulcahy, a nursery nurse, became clearly in “pain and discomfort”, the BBC reports.

The inquest heard how he was involved in the decision to conduct a C-section and there were concerns over her having pre-eclampsia – a life-threatening blood pressure condtion.

Dr Etokowo said: "It didn't cross my mind that she had herpes. She had a rash but I didn't think it was a herpes rash.

“I was not convinced she had pre-eclampsia, personally, but there was, of course, a chance.”

Dr Etokowo admitted in hindsight he would have sent a blood test away if there was any doubt the patient had an infection.

Dr Jonathan Purday, who was working at the time Ms Mulcahy was in hospital, told the inquest she had issues with her respiratory system and did not eat or drink much after the pregnancy.

Ms Sampson became seriously ill after her baby was delivered at the Margate hospital and she was rushed to Kings College Hospital in London where she was diagnosed with a herpes infection.

She died on May 22, 2018, and just six weeks later, Ms Mulcahy died from an infection caused by the virus in Ashford.

Previously, Ms Sampson's mum, Yvette Sampson, described going through the inquest process as "something we need to do to honour her memory".

“Kim’s laughter and her smile were infectious. She was a wonderful, kind-hearted and loving daughter," she added.

"She was also a fantastic mum to her two children. It’s difficult to put into words the devastation and impact the loss of Kim has had on our family. It has left us absolutely heartbroken.”