A consultant doctor involved in the delivery of a baby boy who died six days after birth believed the parents were given all the information around the risks associated with a non Caesarean birth.
Dr Rohit Sharma accepted he might have done “something different” if it was not clear to the parents of Troy Brady of all the options available and risks associated with a vaginal birth.
Troy died on August 25 2016, six days after the delivery at Craigavon Area Hospital. An inquest heard he died from brain damage caused by a lack of of oxygen supply.
The baby, who was otherwise normally developed, was in a “state of collapse” following the delivery on August 19. He was born at 33 weeks and two days.
His parents, Jane and John, from the Coalisland area, both delivered testimony that they were not fully informed of the risks around the delivery of the baby.
Troy was in a breech position but the parents said they were told that because it was a pre-term birth at just over 33 weeks there was no need for a Caesarean section operation.
Both parents said there was a disagreement in the delivery room when the consultant in charge ordered the mother to have her position changed from being on her back to all fours, the coroner’s court heard.
The couple said the consultant explained there was new research stating this was the best position for the delivery, citing the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Asked about his choice for Ms Brady to deliver in an all fours position, Dr Sharma agreed the midwives in the room were not experienced with that position,
Dr Sharma said he had performed deliveries in this way at least 12 times in other hospitals. He believed this was the best way in the circumstances but that he should have taken the fact other staff did not know into account.
The inquest previously heard from both parents that most of the body was out of the vagina but that the baby’s head was stuck. It was then decided to change the mother’s position and that she was turned from all fours on to her back, the court heard.
When it was suggested to Dr Sharma that he panicked, he said: “That is not my recollection.” He added that he was really sorry about what happened and that it was tragic.
Earlier, the inquest heard the couple were made aware of all the potentially serious consequences of a vaginal birth when they were first spoken to on arrival at the hospital.
Dr Sharma gave evidence he had a conversation with another doctor who gave him details of the arrival of Ms Brady, that she was in breech and that all the risk and benefits around the delivery were made clear to the parents.
The consultant said he trusted another doctor had the experience and skills to make everything clear to the couple prior to the delivery.
