Investigation launched after baby dies at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton

An investigation is underway after 40-year-old Adenike Sodiya's baby was born with brain damage but did not survive.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Ms Sodiya and her partner Johnson Adegun, a support worker, said their 'world is crumbling' at losing their 'last chance' to have a child.

Adenike Sodiya and her partner Johnson Adegun

Ms Sodiya previously suffered a miscarriage and together with her partner has spent £40,000 on IVF treatments.

She was admitted to the Southampton hospital on February 12 at 29 weeks pregnant due to pressure on her stomach.

Overnight a foetal heart rate monitor was allegedly turned off by a midwife.

READ MORE: Church vandalised with vulgar graffiti 

Ms Sodiya maintains she told the midwife in the morning and it was switched back on, but it did not then detect a heartbeat.

Ms Sodiya said: “I feel like my world is crumbling and I have no hope."

She added: “They never said this was my last chance but because of everything I have gone through, I have made my mind up to not try again.”

She and her partner “got all the promises in the world” at the hospital and did not feel concerned on admission, Ms Sodiya said.

She added: “In the morning, around 8am, I said I didn’t sleep all night and reminded the midwife that she turned the monitor off and it had been switched off for a long time.

“She put the monitor on and couldn’t find the baby’s heartbeat and she called for help immediately.

“The baby’s heartbeat had dropped, and my baby was in danger.”

Ms Sodiya was rushed into theatre and within 10 minutes her baby was born, but it was too late.

She said: “He was resuscitated but he wasn’t responding.

“They said his brain was damaged from not getting enough oxygen, and that’s the worst thing ever to hear.

“I have no other children, and that’s why this is a major loss for me, especially with my age and my history.

“We spent so much money on IVF and I have been through so much already.”

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust confirmed a review has been carried out and an investigation is underway.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “The loss of a child is devastating, and we extend our sympathies to the family following their tragic loss.

“A thorough review has been carried out and an internal investigation is now underway.

"The Trust will continue to communicate with the family throughout this process.

“While we await the findings, it would not be appropriate to comment further.”

The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (Sands) said it is "vital" lessons are learned from investigations into baby deaths.

Jen Coates, Director of Bereavement Support Services at Sands, said: “We are very sorry to hear of the death of Ms Sodiya’s baby, and her previous losses and our thoughts are with her and her family at this difficult time.

"When a baby dies, it can feel very important to their parents to understand why.

"For many babies the cause is not clear straight away and investigations can help to understand what happened." 

Sands' bereavement support services are available on 0808 164 3332 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday and 6pm to 9pm Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

You can also email helpline@sands.org.uk for support.

Find out more here sands.org.uk/support