A COUPLE who lost their newborn baby to a serious brain injury are raising money in her name to cope with their devastating loss.
Emma and Eddie Amat received an apology from a midwife for not checking their daughter Olivia's heart rate regularly enough during the birth at the Royal Derby Hospital.
An inquest heard that if Olivia's heart rate had been checked, she may have been delivered sooner, though the coroner could not say whether or not an earlier delivery would have increased her chances of survival.
Olivia's mother, Emma, said she wanted to create a legacy for Olivia by raising money for a new BiPAP machine at the Nottingham City Hospital where Olivia was transferred.
Emma, 32, of Willington Road, Etwall, said: "Everyday is horrendous. Me and Eddie have tried to get back to some sort of normality.
"If Olivia had been ill there would be a reason but the only reason is someone did not do their job properly.
"I see other people with their babies and it is gut-wrenching. I still do not like going into town seeing people doing what we should be doing. It's horrible.
"It would be nice to have another child in the future.
"There were plans to have brothers and sisters for Olivia.
"Anger is a secondary emotion. We have not become bitter and Eddie and I try not to get angry because that would ruin everything. We are trying very hard to get through this.
"It's very emotional because we're grieving and do not have our child.
"When we found out I was pregnant we were overjoyed. Even when I went into labour I was more excited than nervous as we were both so looking forward to meeting our first child."
Olivia's heart rate was not checked for 15 minutes, when it is possible that it became abnormally low, potentially leading to the starvation of oxygen to the baby's brain, an inquest was told.
Assistant coroner Paul McCandless said: "Resuscitation was commenced and, amazingly, Olivia showed some response with an improvement in her heart rate but she could not breathe spontaneously."
Olivia was admitted to Nottingham City Hospital where she was diagnosed with severe grade-three hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. The couple and their friends have raised over £6,000 for the new BiPAP machine.
During Olivia's time at the hospital the chaplain christened her. It was here at the hospital where Emma and Eddie agreed to allow the medics to remove Olivia's tubes so they could hold her for the first time.
Emma said: "It was best to take the tubes out and have the last moments with her. It was good to bathe, change and dress her. It was remarkably nice.
"We said we would not get to do it again. It was an overwhelming feeling to be there and there not be beeping sounds.
"That was the best and worst day which sounds awful but it was good to do normal things. We chatted with her and I was holding her when she passed away."
Eddie and some of their friends and family have just completed the Three Peaks Challenge by climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours. Emma was injured so could not complete all three, but did walk up Snowdon.
Emma said the walk has been an important factor: "There was a constant feeling of upset but we need a positive focus for her name to live on and give other babies hope.
"We want to allow Olivia to leave a legacy and to help other parents have the opportunity to be able to leave the neonatal unit with their baby in their arms.
"Whilst we are raising money for Nottingham City Hospital, this is relevant to parents in Derby because if their babies ever required specialist cooling like Olivia, they would most likely be transferred to Nottingham.
To donate to the couple's walk, you can visit their link here: www.justgiving.com/3peaksforolivia.
WHAT IS BiPAP
A BiPAP machine is a small device which helps with patients' breathing.
It is connected by flexible tubing to a face mask worn by the person needing the device.
The machine helps push air and oxygen into the lungs. This helps to hold the lungs allowing more oxygen into the blood circulation.
It may take patients time to be comfortable with using a BiPAP. When using the machine it is advised people see their doctor regularly.
Money was raised by the Amat family for the machine by walking the Three Peaks Challenge. The ascent totals 9700 feet and an overall walking distance of 22 miles. A minimum of eight people should take part in the walk.
HOSPITALS TRUST OFFERS MEETING
CATHY Winfield, chief nurse for Derby Hospitals, said: "I would like to repeat my unreserved apologies to Mrs Amat and her family for the distress caused to them by the tragic loss of their baby daughter Olivia.
"At last month's inquest, we acknowledged that there were shortcomings in the care we gave to Mrs Amat and her daughter and we apologised unreservedly for this. I fully accept that this by no means changes the devastating impact that this has had on Mrs Amat.
"The trust carried out a detailed internal investigation following this tragedy and as a result, we have now increased the training and supervision of our junior midwives.
"I would like to offer Mrs Amat an opportunity to meet me to share the findings of our investigation and to determine if there is anything more we can do to provide her with support at this very difficult time."
