Antigua: Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre sued over negligence causing stillbirth

A Bathlodge couple has filed a lawsuit against the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center after the death of their unborn child, the lawsuit accuses the center of negligence. The center has yet to respond to the allegations.

Gretchen Saunders-Christopher, a schoolteacher and her husband Rody are accusing the center of mental distress alongside other damages through their attorney Wendel Alexander. The couple blamed the medics present on the first of November, 2022.

The mother of two was advised that if her baby was not born by her due date of October 22 she would have to go into medically induced labour, this was due to her age of 44, which categorized her pregnancy as a high-risk case.

The mother claims she followed any and all instructions, and then arrived at the hospital on the agreed time and date; however, she was told that the maternity ward was full and that she was then scheduled to return in three days.

She also added that she was forced to spend hours in the waiting room during which time she experienced ongoing vaginal discharge, dismissing this concern she was told that their facility is understaffed and that they would have to prioritize other cases at that moment.

As she waited, she felt that her fetus was experiencing less movement during this time, the night doctor told her to eat more during this time which is why she was experiencing less movement.

When the staff finally checked the fetus she was made aware that the child did not have a heartbeat and was considered to be dead.

The unborn child was removed and the mother was discharged the same day. Since then Saunders-Christopher claims she suffered from immense mental distress and other health issues brought about by the traumatic experience.

Some of the symptoms included a loss of sleep, anxiety and immense grief.

Several publications have reached out to the institution for a statement but they have not responded yet.