A heartbroken mother has opened up about her ongoing battle with PTSD following the devastating loss of her newborn daughter. Laura Bowtell shared her traumatic experience at Cheltenham Birth Centre, where she repeatedly requested an ambulance six hours after giving birth to baby Margot. Despite her pleas, midwife Lisa Land suggested using alternative methods like “oils” and changing positions instead. It was only after continued insistence that Land finally agreed to call for an ambulance, but by then, Margot’s condition had worsened, leading to the decision to turn off her life support three days later.
Both Lisa Land and another midwife involved in the incident, Hazel Williams, were removed from their professional roles following the deaths of Margot and another baby named Jasper White. An independent review by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch highlighted crucial errors in Margot’s case, stating that Laura Bowtell should have been transferred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital much earlier to address complications that could have potentially saved Margot’s life. Consequently, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel revoked the licenses of the two midwives, condemning their serious lapses in judgement and misconduct.
Laura Bowtell, who used to work in aviation, now has a 10-month-old daughter delivered via C-section. Despite having moved forward, she acknowledged that the PTSD resulting from Margot’s loss will stay with her for the rest of her life. Reflecting on the tragic events, Laura expressed that had proper actions been taken, Margot would still be alive, sparing her the lifelong anguish she now endures. Both Margot’s and Jasper’s cases underscored the failure of midwives to promptly call for an ambulance, resulting in dire consequences. The alteration of medical records further compounded the negligence displayed during these critical moments.
In the lead-up to the birth, Laura experienced a minor haemorrhage and decreased foetal movement, signs that warranted a risk assessment and hospital transfer as per protocol. During labour, worrisome indicators emerged, such as blood in the amniotic fluid and low body temperature, prompting the need for an urgent ambulance call. Margot required immediate resuscitation after birth and was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit, where she tragically succumbed to complications related to oxygen deprivation.
The mishandling of the situation extended to crucial moments during Margot’s birth when her foetal heartbeat dropped below the critical threshold, necessitating an emergency response. However, the lead midwife failed to initiate the necessary protocols promptly, opting to use the regular call bell and silencing the emergency bell to maintain a serene birthing environment. The series of oversights and errors highlighted during the investigation have had a far-reaching impact on Laura Bowtell’s life, leaving her to grapple with the profound grief and trauma of losing her precious daughter, Margot.