'My baby's brain damage could have been prevented'

A baby was left with lifelong disabilities and her mother seriously injured after failings in their care led to a "harrowing" birth at Leeds General Infirmary.

Natasha Ashworth, now 37, has launched legal action against the hospital trust that oversaw the delivery of her daughter Luna six years ago.

Mrs Ashworth spent four days in hospital after her labour was induced but despite repeatedly asking for a Caesarean section, gave birth naturally. Luna suffered oxygen deprivation which caused brain damage and she was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Head of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Prof Phil Wood, said he was "profoundly sorry" that Mrs Ashworth and Luna "did not receive the standard of care we strive to achieve and that our patients are entitled to expect".

Mrs Ashworth has instructed law firm Irwin Mitchell to seek damages from the trust and a financial settlement to cover ongoing rehabilitation and care needs for the family.

She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following the birth and said: "I know my body and felt something wasn't right. I felt ignored or like I was being fobbed off."

On 8 July 2018, three days after Mrs Ashworth was admitted, the first-time parent confirmed with a consultant that she wanted an elective Caesarean, but staffing issues meant it was not possible that day.

The following day a decision was made to deliver Luna by category one Caesarean – where there is an immediate threat to life – due to concerns about her heart rate.

Minutes later, after a consultant review, the decision changed again, and medics proceeded with a natural delivery using forceps and cut her mother to allow Luna to be born.

Mrs Ashworth said: "After finally saying I should have a C-section, to then go ahead with a vaginal delivery despite my wishes was unbelievable.

"It was such a chaotic situation and one I'll never forget."

Luna had been starved of oxygen, so had to be resuscitated and taken to a special baby care unit.

Now aged six, she has mobility and eating problems as well as hand tremors, which mean she cannot fasten or undo buttons, laces or zips and cannot brush her teeth.

Mrs Ashworth, from Wortley, Leeds, said she and her husband Louis, 37, missed special bonding time with Luna as a newborn.

She added: "We always wanted a little brother or sister for her but what happened was so harrowing that I feel unable to have more children.

"I suffered flashbacks of the delivery and was traumatised by our care. I had a career as a mental health nurse I was unable to fulfil because of what we'd been through.

"What should have been the happiest moment of our lives was the worst because of what happened."

Irwin Mitchell's medical negligence team said the trust admitted that it failed to provide a Caesarean which would have avoided depriving Luna of oxygen and therefore prevented permanent brain damage.

This outcome would also have avoided the injuries suffered by Mrs Ashworth.

The trust also said Natasha would have avoided going into labour, being cut by medics, and delivery with forceps, the firm stated.

In a statement, Prof Wood said: "Luna's birth resulted in a devastating outcome for Luna and for the Ashworth family and we are working with their legal team to support them."

A recent BBC investigation found 56 deaths in five years may have been preventable at Leeds General Infirmary and St James's Hospital's maternity services.

"It's hard enough to accept what happened to us but it astounds me how so many families appear to have also suffered maternity failings at the same hospitals," Mrs Ashworth said.

"It angers me, what we've been through because of inadequate care.

"Despite everything, we feel so blessed to have Luna in our lives," she added.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North