The loss no parent should face
Aisha was overjoyed to be expecting her first child. She had a long-standing diagnosis of chronic hypertension, which meant her pregnancy was considered high risk from the outset. Chronic high blood pressure can affect the placenta and restrict the baby’s growth, so Aisha was placed under the care of a specialist midwifery team and fetal medicine consultants. Her pregnancy was precious – planned and carefully monitored to make it as safe as possible for her baby-to-be.
Because of her medical background, Aisha was scheduled for regular growth scans and had a plan in place for early delivery if concerns arose. From the beginning, everyone agreed that her care would need to be cautious and proactive.
But despite this, Aisha’s baby was tragically stillborn at term.
The unanswered questions
In the immediate aftermath of her loss, Aisha was left reeling. She received sympathy, but very few answers. The medical team could not explain what had gone wrong. It was only later, when the NHS Trust carried out an internal review using the Perinatal Mortality Review Tool (PMRT) and a separate investigation was conducted by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) (now Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations), that the truth began to emerge.
The reviews revealed that Aisha’s baby had suffered from fetal growth restriction due to placental insufficiency. This is a condition that can often be detected on routine scans, particularly in pregnancies affected by chronic hypertension. However, a scan at 36 weeks failed to identify the problem. Measurements taken during the scan were inaccurate, and no further review was carried out despite known difficulties obtaining clear images.
Crucially, the clinical team did not act on potential signs of reduced amniotic fluid and abnormal Doppler readings. Experts later confirmed that if these red flags had been properly recognised, Aisha should have been induced around 37 weeks. That intervention would likely have saved her baby’s life.
Psychological impact
No amount of medical explanation could undo the trauma Aisha experienced. She suffered from post-traumatic grief and anxiety, struggling to cope with the overwhelming sense of loss. The fact that her baby’s death might have been prevented only compounded her pain.
She described feeling as if her body had failed her and that she had been let down by the very people she trusted to protect her and her baby. The loss also left her with long-term psychological vulnerability, particularly around medical settings and future pregnancies.
Taking the first step
Aisha first contacted us in late 2022, uncertain about whether she wanted to pursue a legal claim. Like many bereaved parents, she simply wanted answers and recognition of the harm she had suffered. Unfortunately, life intervened. She became pregnant again and had a difficult year caring for a newborn while managing her grief.
In mid-2023, as the legal deadline approached, she got back in touch. Our lead solicitor, Katherine Pearce, immediately took action to begin building her case.
The legal journey
What followed was a determined and thorough investigation into the care Aisha received. Our team obtained and reviewed medical records, internal hospital investigations and expert clinical evidence. We worked closely with Aisha to draft a detailed witness statement and instructed a specialist psychologist to assess the impact of her loss.
In summer 2023, we sent full details of the allegations to the NHS Trust. These were supported by internal reports, independent medical opinion and the findings of both the PMRT and HSIB investigations.
Despite the seriousness of the case, there was a long delay before we received any response. It was not until early 2024 after many months of silence that the defendant’s legal team finally replied.
Full admissions were made, acknowledging that critical clinical opportunities had been missed and that, had appropriate action been taken, Aisha’s baby would likely have survived.
Reaching a resolution
Following the admission, we entered into discussions with the defendant to agree an appropriate compensation package. Our focus was on recognising the long-term psychological harm Aisha had suffered.
We submitted expert reports and a schedule of her losses. After several months of negotiation, a settlement was reached that Aisha felt able to accept. While no amount of money could ever make up for her loss, she was relieved that someone had finally acknowledged that what happened was avoidable.
Aisha’s voice was heard
This was never just about compensation. Aisha wanted accountability, clarity and a formal recognition of the mistakes made. The full admission of fault was a critical step in her emotional recovery.
Throughout the process, Katherine Pearce provided careful, trauma-informed legal guidance. Our team ensured that Aisha was supported at every stage and that her story was told with the dignity and seriousness it deserved.
This case is a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance in high-risk pregnancies, and of the value of legal action in giving families a voice when the healthcare system falls short.