Parents of stillborn baby Amalia Devine launch emotional campaign to save other tots

Jul 6 2008 By Heather Greenaway

AMALIA DEVINE died in her mother Barbara Mane's womb - suffocated by her umbilical cord despite doctors spotting it during a scan.

Now she and partner Robert are trying to raise awareness to prevent similar tragedies.

And they want to force hospitals to sto classing the cause of nuchal cord death as "unknown".

They have made their campaign HQ in the nursery where Amalia's cot lies empty.

Robert, 41, and Barbara, 34, even plan to sell their home to fund their efforts.

The couple, of Lanark, are convinced Amalia's death could have been prevented if the NHS had kept a closer eye on the pregnancy.

The nuchal cord was spotted in a scan at a private clinic but the couple claim NHS medics told them not to worry about it.

Last night Robert said: "Our Amalia would still be here today if the NHS had monitored my baby after a 36-week scan clearly revealed the cord wrapped twice round her neck.

"Instead we were told nuchal cord, which occurs when the umbilical cord crosses itself 360 degrees around the neck, is common in seven out of 10 babies and there was nothing to worry about.

"At this point a consultant should have instructed future scans, advised frequent foetal heart monitoring and told us about the risks and our options for a safer delivery. But we were told nothing."

The couple, who keep the picture of Amalia just after her stillbirth on their mantelpiece, want people to see she was not just a statistic but their little girl.

Technician Robert added: "We are determined to warn people that umbilical cord accidents (UCAs) are responsible for a devastating number of stillbirths and neurological damage such as cerebral palsy.

"We feel if we accept what happened to Amalia and walk away from the NHS's failures, we are just as guilty in that we will fail to prevent further stillbirths."

NHS figures show there are around 300 stillbirths a year in Scotland. While only four per cent of these are recorded as being caused by umbilical cord compression, 55 per cent are classed as "unknown" so this number could be much higher.

Barbara and Robert had to fight for four months to get Amalia's death certificate corrected. Robert said: "The original death certificate said cause of death was unknown even though the pathologist confirmed it was asphyxia due to compression of the umbilical cord.

"It makes you wonder just how many of the 55 per cent of unknown stillbirth deaths in Scotland are down to UCAs. If this is the case, it might make the NHS less likely to ignore the risks."

The world's leading expert in cord pathology and pregnancy, Dr Jason Collins has offered to advise NHS Lanarkshire free of charge.

Pregnancy Institute president Dr Collins, of New Orleans, Louisiana, last weekmet parents in Scotland who have lost babies through cord accidents.

He said: "Double nuchal cord round the neck of a baby can be very serious and, once this was discovered, doctors should have taken a closer look.

"Amalia's entanglement had a severe impact. Some babies can free themselves easily but others can't and this should have been monitored.

"Frequent foetal heart rate monitoring would have revealed the baby becoming distressed and immediate delivery would have saved the baby's life. It is better to be safe than sorry." It was 10 hours into her labour when customer services worker Barbara realised there was something wrong after she felt extreme pain.

The mum, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, said: "I rang the midwife and was told it was labour pain and to take paracetamol. I now know it was the cord compressing around Amalia's neck and pulling on the placenta. When I went into Wishaw General, I thought everything was normal but an ultrasound revealed my baby's heart had stopped beating. She had died.

"Amalia was born naturally, weighing eight pounds and was perfect. She was supposed to be our dream come true - now our hearts are broken." Barbara and Robert have met the Ombudsman to vent their anger at how they were treated by NHS Lanarkshire.

The health board have refused to accept blame for Amalia's death.

Robert said: "A trainee told us not to worry about nuchal cord. We should have been managed by an obstetrician. We have yet to receive an apology."

The couple also met First Minister Alex Salmond to discuss their campaign.

They have made T-shirts and leaflets, warning of the risks and demanding every woman should be entitled to three ultrasounds during pregnancy.

They have also set up an email address - AmaliaDev@aol.com - where other parents can ask for advice.

Baby Amalia Nicole was laid to rest alongside Robert's mum and dad.

NHS Lanarkshire said: "A full investigation was carried out.

"The outcome has not been satisfactory for Ms Mane and Mr Devine and we have explained the options that remain open."

'Amalia would still be here today if the NHS had monitored our baby'

- Dad Robert Devine

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