Mum accidentally has bladder removed in C-section - docs say they saved her life
A new mum who accidentally had her bladder removed during a C-section was originally lied to by doctors, who told her "we managed to save you".
Felicity Benyon was left with a permanent urostomy bag due to the mistake at Queen's Medical Centre, and was originally told nothing had been done wrong. She later received an "unreserved apology" from Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), and it admitted liability over the 2015 incident.
The 37-year-old, from Mansfield, said: "They barefaced lied to me on multiple occasions about what happened to me." Felicity was in hospital for five months before the birth of her second child as she was suspected to have a rare and potentially fatal pregnancy complication called placenta percreta, where the placenta attaches itself and grows through the uterus. However, the mum-of-two said guidelines were not followed before - and during - a planned C-section, which almost resulted in her death.
"As the doctor opened me up he said it was like a scene out of Alien, 'I can't tell what's womb, placenta and baby', and yet he continued to let a junior doctor carry out the C-section," she said. "Luckily it went okay and the baby came out fine, but they soon realised another complication they'd previously ruled out, I did have, and I had the worst case of it which is placenta percreta."
Felicity had been warned she might've had placenta percreta after a 25-week ultrasound. But when a further MRI failed to spot the condition, the diagnosis was dismissed a few weeks later. She believed a multi-disciplinary team had met ahead of the C-section, as per guidance, but it turned out that hadn't actually happened. It meant the right specialists weren't on hand, if required. During an emergency hysterectomy, which was carried out due to her placenta becoming completely attached to the womb, doctors required a urologist - but there were none at the hospital.
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The mum says her life has changed after the surgery (Paul David Drabble)"They had to call City [Hospital] and a doctor had to come to save me because I was on the table bleeding out, with urine going everywhere. I now know that doctor rides a motorbike and that's the only reason I'm here. If he drove a car, it would be too late. He told me himself that he walked into a war zone. He didn't think I was going to survive."
When she woke up, she was told her bladder had accidentally been removed, but that it would have needed to be taken out regardless. "Their words were 'your bladder was completely enveloped by the percreta, you would have lost it anyway, you're here, you're alive, we managed to save you'," she said. "I lived off a wave of euphoria, thinking 'I'm here and I've somehow survived this'."
However, she later found out the doctors had "barefaced lied". She added: "They admitted they chopped a healthy bladder off. I realised I'd been completely lied to. There's been no accountability for that doctor, none at all, not even a retraining day. I have to go everywhere with a change of clothes and spare medical equipment. I have to have a massive bag in case [the urostomy bag] leaks."
Felicity's experience is one of up to 1,800 cases that will form part of the ongoing Nottingham Maternity Review.
"We need the truth and we need accountability," she said before issuing a message to other families: "Please come forward for the review, it's really important that people are aware, it's for mums who are being harmed and dying, babies who are being harmed and dying and it's poor service in general. If you both come away unharmed but you've had a really traumatic experience in NUH hospitals then you need to come forward for the review."
The trust's maternity departments will be investigated by Nottinghamshire Police after dozens of baby deaths and injuries. An independent review led by midwife Donna Ockenden, which is set to include more than 1,800 of harm, is already underway. Families wishing to contact the review can do so by emailing [email protected]
Anthony May, chief executive for NUH, said: “I apologise unreservedly for the pain and suffering that Ms Benyon experienced following her surgery in 2015. Mrs Benyon has been good enough to meet with me to talk about her experience. Our conversations have helped me see the traumatic and life-changing nature of what happened. It is clear that mistakes were made and I am sorry.
“We have a comprehensive maternity improvement programme in place which is driving changes in our maternity services. These changes include staffing levels, training, compliance with guidelines, record keeping and the provision and use of equipment. We are committed to the Independent Review into maternity services at NUH. We work closely with the review team led by Donna Ockenden, to ensure transparent and full engagement. This includes meeting regularly with Donna in order listen and take action on feedback."
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