Couple take legal action over newborn baby's death

A couple are taking legal action against a health board after their daughter died just hours after she was born.

Liliwen Iris Thomas died due to complications during labour on 10 October 2022, 20 hours after she was born at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Emily Brazier and Rhodri Thomas, from Cardiff, claim Ms Brazier was left alone to give birth despite the pregnancy being classed as high-risk and said they were living "every parent's worst nightmare".

Cardiff and Vale health board shared its condolences and said it was fully engaged with the inquest process but added that "it would be inappropriate to comment further until the inquest concludes".

"I have very hazy memories of my labour but then I vividly remember peeling back the covers and seeing Liliwen there, completely still and lifeless," said Ms Brazier.

"That image will be with me forever. I still have flashbacks and nightmares and have been in counselling since it happened."

Mr Thomas said he was not present when Ms Brazier went into labour due to the maternity unit not allowing partners on the ward overnight unless their partner was in active labour.

"I should have been there, I could have been Emily's advocate," he said.

"I would have pressed the call bell and alerted midwives that she was clearly in active labour and needed extra monitoring and help."

Shortly before midnight on 9 October, Ms Brazier said she was given pain relief and left with gas and air before stirring from her drowsiness after 02:00 to discover her daughter had been born.

"It was absolute panic from that point, they took Liliwen away and rushed me up to the delivery suite, I had lost a lot of blood and needed stitches, IV fluids and a blood transfusion," she said.

Liliwen was treated in the neonatal intensive care unit but died later that day.

Since her death Ms Brazier, who at the time was studying to be a nurse, has opted against a career in the profession and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The couple are also parents to daughter Carys and son Ellis but Ms Brazier said "so many happy memories and special family moments are tinged with sadness".

"I dread family events and Christmas as Liliwen will never be there, she will always be the missing piece. I will never get over her death, I feel stuck in time," she said.

"Holding your child as they take their last breath, leaving them behind after their last ever cuddle, walking out of the hospital with an empty car seat, there are so many painful memories seared into my brain.

The health board said: "Our sincere thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with Liliwen's family during this incredibly difficult time."