Mum, 27, with torn bowel told to 'drink peppermint tea' - then developed sepsis
A mum who suffered a torn bowel and then life-threatening sepsis was told she should “drink peppermint tea” as she developed the deadly infection.
Farrah Moseley-Brown, 27, reported "agonising pain" in her stomach after the birth of her second child. Baby Clay was delivered by Caesarean in May 2020 at University Hospital Wales, Cardiff. Following the procedure Farrah lost over two pints of blood and needed surgery to stem the bleeding.
The following day she started complaining of constipation, she received treatment and was sent home from the hospital on May 10. Farrah, of Barry, Wales, said: "Every single night they'd say 'she's anxious, she's just anxious'. I was just given tablets for constipation and was fed lots of peppermint tea."
The Health Board admitted it failed to undertake further scans or arrange a surgical opinion to diagnose Farrah (Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)Two days later she called the hospital complaining of stomach pain and issues with keeping food down and was readmitted. After another three nights in hospital, between May 12 and 15, she was sent home again. But the next day, May 16, saw Farrah in an ambulance being rushed back to hospital.
Farrah had a fever, raised heart rate and was breathing rapidly. She was given tests and this time medics diagnosed her with a perforated bowel and sepsis - where the body attacks itself in response to an infection. She was rushed into an emergency operation and remained in hospital recovering for three weeks.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Despite being discharged Fararh says she was left with a stoma and still suffers from fatigue and stomach pain, as well as muscle and joint pain which leaves her reliant on her family to help care for her and her children. Farrah told the BBC: "Shortly after giving birth to Clay the pain started and as the days passed it felt like it was getting worse.
The hospital admitted she wouldn't have needed a stoma fitted if they had diagnosed her properly in the first place (Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)"I had a feeling that I constantly needed the toilet but I couldn't go. When I was home the pain continued to get worse. I was in absolute agony and spent hours curled up in a ball. It was that bad and I knew I needed to go back to hospital. Once back in hospital although I was in pain I felt slightly reassured thinking I would get the care I needed.
"When I was told I could go home a second time I wasn't sure as the pain was still there but I trusted what I was being told.That night at home was the worst of my life, I was in so much pain and could hardly function. Because of the pain my body was trying to sleep and everything is a blur. All I remember is an ambulance being called and the day after arriving back in hospital being told I was going to be put to sleep because I had a perforated bowel and without urgent treatment I could die."
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has admitted it failed to undertake further scans or arrange a surgical opinion to diagnose Farrah's condition. If it wasn't for the breach of duty Farrah wouldn't have developed a bowel infection, wouldn't have suffered a perforated bowel and wouldn't have needed bowel surgery or to have a stoma fitted, the Board admitted. Farrah's legal team and the Health Board are now working towards a settlement which will fund the ongoing care and support she needs.
Farrah says she now finds it a struggle to care for her boys Cohan and Clay (Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)
Farrah's two sons, Conan and Clay (Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)James Pink, a specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell's Cardiff office, representing Farrah, said: "Constipation can be common in women after giving birth and in some cases such as Farrah's can lead to incredibly serious and life-threatening conditions if not treated correctly. The last few years and coming to terms with the physical and psychological impact of what happened has been incredibly difficult for her.
"Understandably she had a number of concerns about her care and while nothing can make up for what happened we're pleased that we've been able to provide Farrah with the answers she deserves." Farrah added: "It's more than two years since my operation but my life still isn't what it was before this ordeal.
"I try not to let it affect me but I'm conscious of my stoma and try and wear baggy clothes to disguise it. I'm still living in pain and while I try my best I'm not able to look after my boys it's sometimes a struggle. Even little things like picking them up to give them a cuddle can be difficult. Nothing will ever make up for the hurt and pain I've been through and continue to face but at least I now have answers. I just hope that by speaking out others don't have to go through what I have as I wouldn't wish it anyone."
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