A mother in England had to recount the moment when after nine hours of labor, her stillborn baby was laid upon her chest to hold without the midwife who delivered the baby even noticing. Elizabeth Reader told her horrific story at a hearing against the two midwives Sandra Bickers and Peter Davies, who both assisted with the labor and delivery. Bickers had assisted Reader during the day and then handed over the night duties to Davies. Davies, who delivered the baby, eventually noticed there was a problem with the infant and called for a resuscitation team, but it was too late.
Reader was admitted to Conquest Hospital in St Leonards, East Sussex in June 2004. Upon being admitted it took Bickers an hour to find Reader a room and another hour passed before she checked the baby’s heart rate. Both midwives failed to check the baby’s heart rate every 15 minutes despite it being considered a high-risk delivery.
Bickers defense was that she “just plain forgot” to use specialist equipment during the delivery. Davies did not show up for the hearing but sent a statement denying any misconduct.
The panel found that both midwives’ actions were “contrary to good midwifery practice.” Davies can no longer practice midwifery however, Bickers was given a caution that will remain in place for five years.

Source: Daily Mail