Mum’s horror after baby died when midwife refused to call ambulance three times

A mother has shared her heart-wrenching story after her newborn daughter tragically passed away due to the refusal of midwives to call for an ambulance. Laura Bowtell, 37, went through a traumatic experience during labour at Cheltenham Birth Centre when she pleaded with midwives for an ambulance after six hours of giving birth to baby Margot. Despite her repeated requests, midwife Lisa Land suggested alternative methods such as using oils and changing positions instead of calling for emergency help. It was only after persistent pleas that an ambulance was finally called, but by then, baby Margot’s condition had worsened, leading to her life support being switched off three days later.

Following this devastating incident, both Lisa Land and another midwife, Hazel Williams, have been removed from their professional roles after the deaths of Margot and another baby named Jasper White. An independent review by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch revealed serious flaws in the circumstances surrounding Margot’s death. The report highlighted that Laura Bowtell should have been transferred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital much earlier during complications, potentially saving Margot’s life. As a result of these tragic events, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel struck off the two midwives, condemning their severe misjudgment and breach of professional standards.

Laura Bowtell, who used to work in aviation, now has a 10-month-old daughter born via C-section. However, she expressed that the PTSD she suffers from will stay with her for the rest of her life. Reflecting on the ordeal, Laura shared, “Margot would still be here, and I wouldn’t have to live with this for the rest of our lives.” The midwives’ failure to call for an ambulance promptly in both Margot’s case and the previous incident involving Jasper had tragic consequences. Medical records were also altered to downplay Jasper’s deteriorating condition, indicating a disregard for proper care and honesty.

In the lead-up to giving birth, Laura experienced a minor haemorrhage and decreased foetal movement, which were warning signs that should have prompted immediate medical attention as per standard procedures. During labour, alarming signs such as blood in amniotic fluid and low body temperature were overlooked, leading to a delayed emergency response that ultimately resulted in Margot’s passing. The failure to address critical conditions during labour, including Margot’s dropping foetal heartbeat, further emphasises the professional negligence that occurred.

Laura’s story sheds light on the importance of timely and appropriate medical intervention during childbirth to ensure the safety and well-being of both mothers and newborns. It serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from failures in healthcare protocols and the critical need for accountability and transparency in the medical profession.

Insights and Summary:
The tragic story of Laura Bowtell’s loss of her newborn daughter Margot due to the negligence of midwives highlights the critical importance of timely and appropriate medical care during childbirth. The midwives’ failure to call for an ambulance promptly and address concerning signs during labour resulted in a heartbreaking outcome that could have been prevented with proper intervention. This serves as a crucial reminder of the need for healthcare providers to adhere to strict protocols and prioritise patient safety above all else. The subsequent actions taken by the Nursing and Midwifery Council to hold the midwives accountable for their misconduct and breach of professional standards underscore the necessity of upholding ethical practices in the medical profession to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.