'The most important person in the room didn’t get a chance’ says heartbroken Mum

An inquest has opened into the death of newborn baby Bláithín O’Riordan. 

Bláithín was delivered at Letterkenny University Hospital at 6.56am on February 4, 2023, and tragically, was pronounced dead at 8.02am.

At the Coroner’s Court sitting in Letterkenny Courthouse on Tuesday, Natasha O’Riordan spoke of her joy the previous May when she and husband Liam discovered that IVF had been successful. They were expecting a baby.

Natasha, a midwife in the hospital, said all her dreams came true when she was given Bláithín to hold. But a horrific nightmare ensued.

At the 20-week scan everything was perfect, she said in her deposition which she courageously read to the inquest.

“On February 2, 2023, my blood pressure was slightly elevated,” said Natasha. “It was decided I would be induced the next day.”

A pessary was inserted to induce labour. Checks and scans were performed, and everything seemed fine.

Just before 11pm, contractions became regular. A consultant was informed. 

Natasha was in need of pain relief, and the consultant instructed that she be brought to the labour ward with the pessary still in place.

“I thought this was very dangerous,” said Natasha. “The midwife told him it was not protocol.”

He said he would remove it but it was not his recommendation.

“He did it, it was very rough and it felt like his hands were in my abdomen,” recalled Natasha.

She was taken to the labour ward and it was noted that her blood pressure was elevated. Natasha opted for an epidural, and rang Liam who came to join her.

“A while later I began to feel pressure and began to push,” she said. “The head was visible.

“I could feel Bláithín moving, I placed my hand on her head and could feel it moving.

“The happiness and joy in the room was palpable. When Bláithín was placed on my chest it felt like all my dreams had come true.”

A short time later the registrar was called. Bláithín was displaying signs of being a ‘shocked baby; with wide eyes and arms outstretched. Natasha had seen this before and was not overly concerned until Liam said something was terribly wrong. 

The resuscitation equipment, known as a resuscitaire, wasn’t working. Natasha’s midwifery experience kicked in.

“I asked if they could take a resuscitaire from another ward,” she said.

This didn’t happen. 

Liam, a member of An Garda Síochcana, described scenes of panic.

Efforts to intubate Bláithín failed.. Natasha appealed for those present to use the bag and mask method to resuscitate her baby but this was not done.

“It was sheer panic, nobody really knowing what to do,” said Natasha. “The most important person in the room didn’t get a chance.”

An off-duty consultant, Dr Khan, was called. He arrived around 35 minutes later and took charge, performing the intubation without further delay. But it was too late to save Bláithín. 

“After it stopped, they laid her skin to skin on my chest,” said Natasha. “All our hopes and dreams had been shattered. We dreamed of holding our baby in our arms but never could we have imagined this nightmare.”

The couple got to spend time with their daughter before she was brought to Galway for a post mortem examination.

Perinatal pathologist Dr Laura Aalto told the inquest that there was no way to tell if a shortage of oxygen or blood to the brain had occurred during labour and immediately after Bláithín was born. However, she did discover factors which she said contributed to her death. 

The major issue was with a fibrinoid in the centre area of the placenta. This had caused stress to the brain, with indicators that it had begun a week beforehand. It affected Bláithín’s ability to get the extra oxygen that she needed for labour and birth. 

The inquest continues, with a number of expert medical witnesses being called, as well some of those from the medical profession who were present for Blaithín’s birth. Proceedings are expected to last at least one more day.

The legal professionals are Damian Tansey SC briefed by Aisling Harrison, representing Natasha and Liam O’Riordan. Luán ó Braonáin SC Senior Council briefed by VP McMullin, is present on the instruction of the State Claims Agency for Letterkenny University Hospital