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Maternity Scandal: Two Lost Babies, Ignored Warnings
15 Apr
Summary
- Two mothers met at antenatal classes and later discovered their sons, Felix, died.
- Both mothers reported concerns about their pregnancies but were dismissed by staff.
- An independent investigation is underway into maternity services at UH Sussex.
In 2022, Sophie Hartley and Beth Cooper connected at an antenatal class in Haywards Heath, East Sussex, both expecting sons named Felix. Tragically, both their babies died before birth or shortly after due to what they describe as dismissed concerns and systemic failures within UK maternity services.
Beth's son Felix was stillborn on Christmas Day 2022, and Sophie's Felix died in February 2023 after being born without a heartbeat. Both mothers reported repeated concerns to Princess Royal Hospital staff, but were allegedly dismissed as anxious first-time mothers.
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has admitted multiple breaches of duty in Sophie's case, acknowledging that earlier delivery would likely have prevented her son's death. An independent investigation, launched in June 2023, is examining care at UH Sussex, involving 15 families, including Sophie and Beth's.
Recent investigations have highlighted patterns of potential harm, with claims that at least 55 babies may have survived between 2019 and 2023 with better care. Despite the trauma, both Beth and Sophie have since given birth to baby girls, Rosa and Ophelia, respectively.
