The pregnancy had been uneventful and was progressing well. Miss B was initially managing the pain with Entonox and then Pethadine. She requested a further dose of pethadine which was obtained by the nurse. The dose was then placed on a dish next to a dose of Syntometrine. When it came to administering the drug, the nurse accidentally picked up the Syntometrine rather than the Pethadine.  Immediately after being given the injection Miss B's body went into shock and her baby became distressed. She described what felt like a permanent contraction.

A decision was made for an emergency caesarean section and the baby was delivered. The birth was very traumatic for Miss B. Fortunately there was no long term damage to her baby.  Miss B has since been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and depression, which would have been avoided had Miss B been given the correct injection. Our expert evidence states that Miss B should make a good recovery after undergoing CBT.



This case was conducted by Gemma Bailey, a Solicitor in our Clinical Negligence team. For further information please contact  Gemma on 02380 857248 or at gemma.bailey@bllaw.co.uk. Alternatively, please fill in our Contact form and we will call you back.