Birth trauma mum sues for $1.25m

0
195

A MOTHER who claims she was wrongly given a drug that sent her into anaphylactic shock, leading to the premature birth and brain damage of her son, is suing a hospital for $1.25 million.

Petrea Aslett went into cardiovascular collapse and required resuscitation and an emergency caesarian to deliver her son three years ago.

Hudson Aslett was born with brain damage leading to cerebral palsy at the Mater Mother’s Private Hospital in Brisbane on March 17, 2012.

Since then Ms Aslett, who had worked as a clinical nurse consultant for organ and tissue donation at the Mater Adult Hospital, has suffered post traumatic stress disorder.

The single mother has not worked since the birth.

Petrea Aslett with her baby son who was born with cerebral palsy.

Petrea Aslett with her baby son who was born with cerebral palsy. Source: Supplied

When she was 30 weeks and one day pregnant, Ms Aslett went to the Mater hospital suffering from mild abdominal pain, according to court documents.

Less than an hour after she began having some contractions, an obstetrician told staff to administer penicillin intramuscularly.

Ms Aslett had a severe allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock, the claim says.

Although she had not been vaginally examined, Ms Aslett was wrongly treated as if she were in preterm labour and given the antibiotic, it is claimed.

Under hospital policy, staff should have first undertaken a vaginal examination.

The claim states that if that had occurred, it would have determined Ms Aslett was only in threatened preterm labour.

The claim says penicillin was not recommended and should not have been administered at that stage.

Petrea Aslett and baby Hudson.

Petrea Aslett and baby Hudson. Source: Supplied

Hudson was born weighing 1790 grams and suffering birth asphyxia and brain damage leading to cerebral palsy.

Ms Aslett was admitted to the intensive care unit after the birth.

“The events of that day still stay with me,” she said.

“I’m traumatised by what it felt like to think I was dying and losing my baby.

“So many things were taken from me that day – the joy of birth, the surprise of finding out my baby’s gender, holding my baby in my arms.

“I love my son so much but the experience of his birth was harrowing.’’

Ms Aslett’s personal injury claim for $1.25 million in damages is against a female obstetrician and Mater Misericordiae Health Services Brisbane Ltd.

Neither has responded to the claim.