Heartbroken couple desperate for answers after death of their newborn son

A heartbroken couple who are now expecting their second child are desperate for answers following the tragic death of their newborn son over a year ago.
Paul Swaine with his baby son, Jacob just after he was born.Paul Swaine with his baby son, Jacob just after he was born.
Paul Swaine with his baby son, Jacob just after he was born.

Yvette Crook, 31, and Paul Swaine, 34, live in Wyke and are over three months into their second pregnancy but are growing increasingly anxious as their due date gets closer after their first baby, Jacob, died just five hours following birth at Calderdale Royal Hospital in April last year.

Yvette’s first pregnancy progressed well with little concern, however a delay in identifying Jacob’s distress during labour and a failure to expedite his delivery led to his unexpected death.

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A Serious Incident Report carried out by the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust responsible for his care highlighted a number of failings, and Yvette and Paul have now instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers to carry out an investigation into what happened.

Lauren Bullock, the Irwin Mitchell lawyer representing the couple, said: “Yvette and Paul are both trying to come to terms with what has happened, but it is difficult for them as there are still so many unanswered questions as to what went wrong during Jacob’s birth. Delays by the NHS Trust in providing the information means that an inquest into Jacob’s death is not likely to take place until later this year.

A report detailing the failings which contributed towards Jacob’s death states that “the root cause was found to have been the failure to monitor him during labour.” A total of 10 recommendations are outlined in the report to improve the level of care, which include training for midwives.

A witness statement also concludes that there was a failure to appropriately monitor Jacob’s heart rate during Yvette’s labour.

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Paul said: “I don’t think it is too much to ask to be given some answers and reasons as to why he was taken from us so soon.”

Chief nurse Jackie Murphy said the loss of a baby is always sad and the trust extended its sympathies. She added the trust could not comment on individual cases but was co-operating fully with the coroner’s investigation.