Mother's plea after losing her baby
A WOMAN wants a health trust to make mums-to-be more aware of pregnancy complications after she lost her baby daughter.
Lamara Henry, 24, of Aspley, says medical staff did not spot she had complications during her pregnancy.
Her blood pressure was raised and she had protein in her urine, which can both be signs of pre-eclampsia, and Lamara says she should have been referred to a specialist.
She said: "My blood pressure was one away from referral. It should have been checked regularly but I was made a four-week appointment.
"Four weeks later, my blood pressure was really high and I was told I had lost my daughter."
Now Lamara is calling for health workers to ensure expectant mothers are better informed about pre-eclampsia and other complications.
"I think signs of pre-eclampsia were there but I wasn't referred," she said. "It's horrible to think that this might happen again to someone else."
Lamara lost her baby, whom she had named Reanne, in November 2007.
She complained to Nottingham City PCT as she believed health workers should have spotted warning signs.
"I was really, really upset and confused," said Lamara. "I was angry and grieving and I wasn't eating or sleeping.
"Now, I'm angry more than anything. I'm starting to deal with the fact that Reanne is not here but I'm angry."
Lamara's partner, Carl Chamberlain, 23, said: "There are things that could have been done so that Reanne could have been here."
The couple said that on October 9, 2007, her blood pressure was 144/89 and guidelines state the referral level for the lower figure – the diastolic blood pressure – was 90 or more.
Protein was found in her urine on September 18, 2007, but it was not tested when she went for her next appointment on October 9.
Lamara, who lived in Lenton Abbey during her pregnancy, said: "My hands swelled up, but because I didn't know about pre-eclampsia I didn't think anything of it. Pre-eclampsia was never explained to me. I want to make more people aware of the condition."
A letter to Lamara from Andrew Kenworthy, chief executive of Nottingham City PCT, dated January 25, 2008, says that although guidelines on pre-eclampsia and appointment timings were followed, it is reasonable that Lamara should have been seen earlier than originally planned after her rise in blood pressure.
It says: "It is normal practice to test a sample of urine at each antenatal appointment. We sincerely apologise [with regards to] a urine sample not being taken on the 9 October 2007."
A spokesman for Nottingham PCT said: "While we are unable to go into detail on individual cases, we are confident the healthcare professional concerned did follow care guidelines.
"All pregnant woman are given personal hand-held records at their first appointment with a midwife, which includes conditions for which they should contact their GP or midwife.
"These include persistent headaches or visual disturbances, a swelling of the ankles, fingers or face, or anything specifically causing them concern."
samantha.hughes@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
8 Comments
by Jenny, Hucknall
Saturday, January 17 2009, 8:10PM
“I had high blood pressure through my pregnancy. My midwife checked my blood pressure and urine at each antenatel check ( and also asked if I had blurred vision or swollen ankles etc). I was given a check sheet at my first visit to let me know what they would do at each appointment. As my blood pressure got higher towards the end of my pregnancy the midwife's checked my blood pressure/urine more regular. I can not fault the help and care I received. At 38 and a half weeks I had protein in my urine and my midwife rang the hospital and arranged for me to go to the MAS unit to be checked over. They kepted me in and induced me on the Monday and I had an c-section on the Tuesday as the baby was getting distressed.
Thank you to the Midwife's in the Hucknall area.
My Condolences to the family.”
by sharon, Nottingham
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 6:46PM
“Sorry, new to this. It's just come to me why his comment may not be there anymore. A load of b*ll*cks. Say no more....”
by Maid Marian, Nottingham
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 6:40PM
“Have I missed something? What did Pete say??”
by jill, nottingham
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 5:30PM
“I had a very similiar experince to this lady but thankfully my twins were born and suffered no ill effects however i wnet into a coma- no one had told me of the things to look out for and i had no idea i was so ill - my checks were weekly at the end of my pregnancy yet had i known what to look out for i would have ensured i took advise sooner - my heart goes out to this lady and her partner and yes this needs to be better communicated to pregnant woman so this tragedy doesnt keep happening”
by katrina, Clifton
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 10:14AM
“To add to my previous statement, my hands were swelling from 4 or 5 months pregnant and nobody ever mentioned pre-eclampsia. I was told it was carpal tunnel syndrome and that it was common.”
by jay, notts
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 9:49AM
“how can you say that pete!!!
you must have no heart!
lamara obviousley wants to help people and all you can say is that your sick in the head mate!!!”
by Kat, Clifton
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 9:26AM
“I live in Aspley and had a similar experience, i however did not suffer losing my daughter.
I had my urine tested at my first appointment, it was then not tested until i was 33wks by then i had full pre-eclampsia, and was admitted to hospital for 3 wks until they could induce me. I had been working up until this point, it is a scary thought that this could've been me.
Condolences to the young lady involved.
Practices need to be much better.”
by pennyP, Nottingham
Tuesday, January 13 2009, 9:23AM
“Pete, she is doing make other pregnant women aware of the risks where our NHS fails us. Its so that other people don't have to go through losing a child. I thought that was obvious from the article, and your comment shows a lack of understanding and compassion.”