Mother requested C-section as Alby Spreadborough struggled at birth
An inquest heard that a mother asked for a caesarean during obstructed labour. Her request was delayed. Her newborn died.
Alby Spreadborough died at Emerald Hospital in February 2023 after obstructed labour, when the baby cannot move through the birth canal. Rebecca Spreadborough asked doctors for a caesarean during labour.
Doctors told her to keep trying to give birth naturally for another hour. Rebecca Spreadborough said she felt pushback and pressure from doctors.
After she firmly asked for a caesarean, she was taken to theatre. She realised something had gone wrong and heard staff trying to save her baby.
The inquest heard Rebecca Spreadborough developed a rare condition called a Bandl's ring, muscle tightening in the uterus. The doctor said it was like cutting through a steel ring rather than a rubber band.
Emerald Hospital did not have a children's doctor on staff at the time. The coroner is looking at whether an earlier caesarean would have changed the outcome.
- February 6, 2023
- When baby died
- Emerald Hospital, central Queensland
- Where
- Bandl's ring, muscle tightening in uterus
- Rare condition
Why it mattersThe inquest will examine whether delays in responding to the mother's request for emergency surgery contributed to the death.
AustraliaThis Queensland hospital death and ongoing inquest raises questions about how Australian maternity services respond to urgent maternal requests during labour.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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