Baby stillborn after mum sent home from hospital in mix-up

12 February 2024 , 10:50

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Madison and Matteo are calling for answers following a devastating mix-up (Image: Madison Goodwin / SWNS)

A young mum is calling for new measures to be put in place after she was forced to deliver a stillborn child after being sent home from hospital just days earlier.

Madison Goodwin, 18, says she has been left "numb" following the tragedy which took place at Southend Hospital in Essex earlier this year. On January 11, the teen was told that she needed an emergency C-section at 36 weeks following a scan which sparked concerns over her daughter's growth.

However, the mum says she was sent home after the hospital informed her that her baby was kicking and said she was mixed-up with another patient who had the same name and due date. Madison was then told she would be called back in a couple of days, where she would be monitored and possibly induced.

When Madison, from Southend, returned to the hospital on January 13 and was given the devastating news that there was no heartbeat. She then was induced to give birth to her stillborn daughter - whom she and partner Matteo Furiello named Valentina. "I'm still quite numb and in shock - it happened so quickly as she was here and then all of a sudden she wasn't," said Madison.

Southend University Hospital was inspected by the CQC last year and rated as "requires improvement" including in its maternity service. Madison and her mother Dawn are now calling for improvements to the hospital's care following Valentina's tragic death. Dawn, 50, said she believes that if Madison had the C-section on the Thursday then Valentina would still be alive.

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Madison was set to have a C-section at 36 weeks (Madison Goodwin / SWNS)

Valentina was tragically delivered stillborn (Madison Goodwin / SWNS)

She said: "I think there needs to be a thorough investigation into Southend Hospital. We want certain procedures to protect mother and baby like more scans as the pregnancy progresses and 2 or more consultants who decide on a treatment plan." Dawn and Madison said the way information was given to them about baby Valentina did not always demonstrate the true extent of what was going on.

Madison did not have an easy pregnancy - she suffered from violent sickness in the early stages and was admitted into hospital with dehydration in July. She was often in pain, especially in her back and sometimes couldn't even walk. She frequently went back to the maternity unit at Southend Hospital with concerns and Dawn says her daughter was "fobbed off". She said: "First they thought it could be kidney stones, then it was a water infection. She wasn't well and nobody seemed to have an answer."

Madison lost her mucus plug - which usually means labour is about to start as the cervix has begun to dilate - and messaged her midwife who she says did not reply for 12 days. On December 7, Madison was taken by ambulance to Basildon Hospital who informed her the baby was smaller than she should be but she was not in labour. She was referred back to Southend Hospital who suspected she may have gestational diabetes before diagnosing her with Strep B, which is common in pregnancy.

She was told they would wait until she was in labour to treat it where IV antibiotics should be given. It was in January that a scan revealed Valentina was in the 3rd percentile for weight meaning she was small and as her family believe "at risk". Dawn said "If there were more checks, more scans, this might not have happened and my granddaughter would be here. We've had an outpouring of support online from friends and family and even other women who have had similar experiences at Southend Hospital.

Madison, Matteo and Dawn are hoping to prevent this to happening to other families at the hospital (Madison Goodwin / SWNS)

Madison and Matteo spent two days with their daughter (Madison Goodwin / SWNS)

"We want a full investigation to learn what went wrong and I will fight to hold them negligent and sue them - some good has got to come out of this. No compensation will ever bring Valentina back but if we can stop this happening to other babies then we will." Madison and dad Matteo got to spend two days with Valentina at Southend Hospital following her stillborn birth before she went to Great Ormond Street Hospital for a full post-mortem. The family are now waiting for answers - and a funeral. Madison said: "The bereavement midwives that have supported me through my loss have been amazing.

"But since I left hospital on the 17th, I haven't had any more direct contact with the hospital. The idea of other people going through this horrible thing is just as awful - it happens so often and it just gets brushed over. This has caused pain and lifelong trauma and I want people to know about it if it stops it happening again".

Diane Sarkar, Chief Nursing and Quality Officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Our condolences go out to the family at this difficult time. We would like to reassure them that we have already begun a full investigation and that all stillbirths are automatically reviewed in line with national guidance. We are in close contact with the family and are keeping them informed on the progress of the investigation."

Monica Charsley