A mother has spoken out about her harrowing experience of a perforated bowel and sepsis, which she attributes to an error in a CT scan taken days after giving birth. The woman, who has not been named but is referred to as Natalie in legal discussions, experienced severe abdominal pain and swelling shortly after her child's birth.
Despite reporting her worsening symptoms, including vomiting fecal matter, medical professionals initially misinterpreted a CT scan performed on January 14. Lawyers representing the mother stated that the scan was incorrectly reported, leading doctors to believe her bowel movements were temporarily slowed due to recent surgery.
"My condition got worse over several days," she recounted. "Being told I needed emergency surgery is something I'll never forget. I was frightened I might die."
Her condition continued to deteriorate, leading to sepsis. On January 18, she underwent emergency surgery, during which a portion of her bowel was removed and a stoma was fitted. The National Health Service trust involved has since admitted a breach of duty, acknowledging that decisions about her care were based on the inaccurate scan report.
"As legal discussions are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment on the detail of the case, however, we are working constructively with [Natalie's] representatives," a spokesperson for the trust said.
The mother is now advocating for better postnatal care for women, highlighting the critical importance of accurate diagnostic interpretation in the postpartum period. The ordeal has led her to call for systemic improvements to prevent similar incidents.