Kent News :: Article :: Grieving mum Marisa Sanders warned others of fatal threat of birth trauma

Kent News :: Article :: Grieving mum Marisa Sanders warned others of fatal threat of birth trauma A grieving mother, whose newborn baby died following a string of hospital blunders, is calling on the NHS to learn from past mistakes. Marisa Sanders, 34, from Bromley, is suing the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough Common, Orpington, after she was left in a triage room for more than three hours, despite obvious signs she was in labour. The shocking state of affairs resulted in the death of tiny Thomas Arben Deliu, who was born without a heartbeat on August 17, 2007. Ms Sanders shared her tragic story to help promote National Birth Trauma Awareness Week, which ends on Sunday, April 10. She said: "To this day, the overwhelming feeling of loss and grief at losing Thomas is indescribable. "Being left isolated from medical staff and ignored during labour should never happen to a woman." Ms Sanders had been booked in for a Caesarean section, but her waters had broken on arrival at the hospital and there were other distinct signs she was going into labour. Despite all the evidence, she was dumped in a triage room for more than three hours and even refused pain relief by a midwife. Ms Sanders said: "Only parents and their family members who have been through the utter devastation of losing a child can begin to understand the grief process. "That’s why spreading the word about the Birth Trauma Association and the contact it can offer with other families who’ve been through the same heartbreak is so important." At the time of the tragedy, the Princess Royal hospital was managed by Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust, which has since merged with two others to form South London Healthcare NHS Trust. The authority has admitted liability after a full investigation pointed to negligence on the part of the original trust. Medical expert Auriana Griffiths, of Irwin Mitchell solicitors, said: "Traumatic births are sadly far more common than people think, and both our own medical law teams and the Birth Trauma Association deal with many cases. "We are calling on the NHS and medical professionals to work together to learn lessons and share best practice so the number of birth traumas can be reduced." POSTED: 10/04/2011 18:00:00