Hinchingbrooke Hospital mum suffered injury after stay

Aramide Caunt, 30, from Little Paxton, said she was otherwise fit and healthy before her “ordeal” last year.

She was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, hip dysplasia and inflammation of the spine and uses a wheelchair. 

She told The Hunts Post the symptoms developed shortly after her stay at the hospital's labour ward in January last year.

Ms Caunt claimed she was forced to wait more than two days for surgery despite “serious” complications after the birth of her twins.

Ms Caunt is a qualified midwife at The Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. (Image: Supplied) She said: "I was admitted to Hinchingbrooke's triage ward after my community midwife picked up that the heart rate of one of my baby's was going down. After arriving at the hospital, the twins were born within about two hours. 

"I had to have an emergency caesarean section but I remained in pain for days after, which progressively got worse - I knew this wasn't normal but the doctors and midwives explained away my concerns.

“It took for my community midwife to see me to escalate the situation, before my concerns were addressed and taken seriously.

She added: "It wasn't until three days after the birth that I was diagnosed with retained products, which is a state where foetal tissue remains in the uterus after a pregnancy." 

Ms Caunt, a qualified midwife at The Rosie Hospital in Cambridge, said she experienced a rapid loss of bleeding two nights after the birth of the twins and “worsening pain.”

The 30-year-old claimed she was moved into the lithotomy position on multiple occasions while doctors performed different examinations, causing "excruciating pain."

Ms Caunt said doctors had planned to conduct surgery to remove the retained product, but postponed “at the last minute” despite concerns of infection. 

Ms claimed she had to wait more than two days for surgery despite “serious” complications following the birth of her twins. (Image: Supplied)She said: "I couldn't understand the need for the delay, especially when it had been established that I had retained products and the longer the products of pregnancy remained, the greater the risk of infection. 

"I've since discovered after accessing my hospital notes that I had already developed an infection, so already I was actively at risk of developing sepsis. 

"I feel like the surgery was being put off because staff didn't believe my pain and they were in disbelief that I had retained products after a caesarean section.

"Doctors were probably hoping it would just pass by itself, and I wouldn't have to go to theatre.”

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A student midwife at Hinchingbrooke Hospital who chose to remain anonymous said the mum of three's "mistreatment" was likely the result of low staffing. 

She said: "There was such a delay when it came to administering pain relief and overall communication among staff was poor, which is why I think Ms Caunt suffered in the way she did. 

"Staff would just dismiss her concerns and not listen to what she was saying despite the visible pain she was in, which was quite concerning to watch.

"The fact is the labour ward put Ms Caunt's welfare at risk and there's no doubt other women will have been impacted by similar issues." 

The mum of three was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, hip dysplasia and inflammation of the spine shortly after her stay. (Image: Supplied) An inspection by the Care Quality Commission in July 2023 found staff levels did not always match planned numbers, “putting the safety of women and birthing people at risk.”

While the service was rated as good overall with staff working together and trained in key skills, inspectors found a risk of “missed opportunities” to escalate care when needed.

Ms Caunt claimed the ordeal left her requiring treatment for post-traumatic stress and depression. 

She said her symptoms following the birth worsened overtime, affecting her mobility and ability to leave the house.

She has lodged a complaint with the North West Anglian NHS Foundation Trust but has yet to receive a response.

Due to the severity of her recently diagnosed conditions, the mum-of-three can no longer climb the stairs and sleeps in a hospital bed in the living room. 

She added: "It's got to the stage where our house is no longer suitable for me because I can't move around and am limited to the downstairs. 

"I also have carers that visit me to help with my daily and basic needs and the running of our home. Friends and family now support me every day with my children.

"My trauma and conditions have turned my life upside down, I have been unable to return to work as a midwife as a result of the trauma and the physical pain.

"I am now living with what I believe area a direct result of the experience and treatment I received at Hinchingbrooke.”

A spokesperson for the Northwest Anglian NHS Foundation Trust confirmed it had received a complaint from Ms Caunt but said it would be "inappropriate" to comment on an "ongoing investigation."