Woman's Claim for Postpartum Bleeding Against Hospital and HSE Dismissed by High Court

A woman suffering from bleeding and who collapsed at home 2½ weeks after giving birth has failed in a High Court claim for damages against the Coombe hospital, Dublin, and the HSE. Virginia Gimenez Perez alleged that the hospital failed to properly diagnose and treat the cause of her bleeding after giving birth to her second child in October 2019. She also alleged that the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, failed to make a timely diagnosis of the cause of her bleeding when she was brought there by ambulance in November. Ms Justice Emily Egan found in favour of the HSE and the hospital in a recently-published decision.

Ms Perez complained that the Coombe failed to properly diagnose and treat her post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) caused by the incomplete delivery of the placenta, preventing her uterus from contracting and stemming bleeding from the uterine wall. The judge found that the staff involved in her care acted in ways that competent professionals might have acted and took decisions that were open to such professionals exercising reasonable care. The care given after Ms Perez attended hospital in Portlaoise was also criticized by her and her expert witnesses, but the judge found it was within the band of reasonable management.

Consultant Dr Niamh Maher decided on a more conservative approach after making a differential diagnosis, emphasizing the risk of uterine perforation associated with surgery so soon after childbirth. Surgery was eventually carried out on Ms Perez in December 2019, and she has since recovered well.

Ms Perez said she experienced weakness and fatigue after the surgery but has now recovered and is happy. The judge dismissed the case, attributing Ms Perez's adjustment disorder to the stress of surgery under general anaesthetic.