Severe Pain and Complications During Childbirth at Whanganui Hospital

A woman experienced severe pain and complications during childbirth at Whanganui Hospital in 2022, leading to serious post-partum issues. The incident has prompted an official censure of Health New Zealand Whanganui by the Health and Disability Commission. The commission found that inadequate staffing and a lack of support for the graduate midwife in charge contributed to the woman’s distress and significant health complications.

The woman, who was in labor, repeatedly expressed that she was in unbearable pain. Despite having an epidural line inserted to manage her discomfort, it had become dislodged, rendering it ineffective. An obstetrician recognized the problem only hours into the labor when attempts to deliver the baby using forceps failed due to the woman’s inability to tolerate the pain.

At that point, an anaesthetist was called to reinsert the epidural, and after approximately half an hour, the baby was delivered in good health. However, the woman suffered a third-degree tear, which involves significant injury from the vagina through the perineal muscles to the anal muscles. She reported experiencing considerable pain after the birth.

The commission’s report highlighted that the midwife and a senior colleague had advised the woman to simply push, disregarding her pleas for further pain relief and a review of her situation by the obstetrician and anaesthetist. The woman described feeling that the midwife was primarily focused on the delivery rather than addressing her pain management needs.

In her testimony, the woman stated, “I made multiple requests for pain relief medication, but these were declined.” The midwife claimed to have sought guidance from senior staff, but they maintained that the woman should continue pushing.

The commission also investigated allegations that the midwife had placed the woman in a painful position while using stirrups. The midwife denied these claims, asserting they were helping the woman into a more suitable position and ceased when she expressed discomfort. The commission was unable to determine the accuracy of this specific account.

Deputy Commissioner Rose Wall emphasized that despite staffing shortages that day, it was the hospital’s responsibility to ensure a qualified midwife was available to monitor the epidural. “This meant that Mrs A’s epidural was not monitored appropriately, and she was subject to unnecessary pain, which had a significant impact on her birth experience,” Wall stated.

Health New Zealand acknowledged the staffing challenges faced that day, noting that one patient required a higher level of care. Consequently, they had to call upon community midwives to assist. They admitted that communication with the mother regarding her care should have been more collaborative.

In reflection, the midwife involved in the case has since obtained her epidural qualification and expressed a commitment to being more assertive in seeking assistance from senior colleagues in the future. “Every mother deserves to feel safe and cared for and most certainly does not deserve to feel negatively about her labor and birth,” she conveyed to the commission.

This case underscores the critical importance of adequate staffing and effective communication in maternity care, as well as the profound impact that childbirth experiences can have on mothers.