Husband of wife who died following childbirth says he feels vindicated following jury decision at emotional inquest
“This is Evelyn’s day” Husband of wife who died following child birth feels vindicated after inquest verdict 
Anton McNulty THE husband of a 38-year-old mother who died just hours after giving birth to her second child said he felt ‘vindicated’ that the jury presiding at the inquest into his wife’s death found she died following ‘medical misadventure’.
Evelyn Flanagan (pictured) of Holyhill, Ballyheane died on October 19, 2007, hours after she gave birth to her second child Niamh. The original post-mortem report stated she died as a result of Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) when a poisonous amniotic fluid, which surrounded her baby in the womb, gained access to her bloodstream. The fluid gained access through a six-centimetre long tear in her uterus which occurred during childbirth.
However, her husband Padraig always refuted this verdict and claimed the death was due to medical negligence. Speaking following the verdict, the senior executive officer with Mayo County Council said this is ‘Evelyn’s realday’.
“Two years ago was supposed to be Evelyn’s day, but this is Evelyn’s real day. The last two years have been difficult but we knew what happened and that eventually the truth would come out,” he said.
His solicitor, Michael Browne, also read a statement on behalf of the family saying they were pleased with the verdict.
“They are relieved that the cause of death originally suggested has been rejected, as it has been the view of the family and their advisors from the beginning that medical misadventure was the cause of death. While the finding will not bring Evelyn back it will hopefully reduce the likelihood of a repeat of a similar fatality in any of the modern maternity hospitals in the country or elsewhere,” he said before thanking the jury and those who have given support.
Last October, the three-day inquest into Mrs Flanagan’s death was adjourned to allow independent witnesses from the Royal College of Pathologists in London to review all records held at Mayo General Hospital on the postmortem carried out. During the inquest, Consultant Pathologist at Mayo Geneal Hospital, Dr Fadel Bennani concluded that amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) was the cause of death but he had never personally come across a case before as it is very rare.
Yesterday (Monday), two independent witnesses gave evidence that they disagreed that AFE was the contributory cause of the death and it was unlikely she would have died primarily as a result of that.
Professor John Walker, a Clinical Gynaecologist from the University of Leeds explained that he was not convinced that AFE was the primary contribution to the death nor did not believe that the hemorrhaging alone resulted in her death. He added that there was no evidence of a fluid balance chart and said Evelyn was given 17 units of blood when her blood loss was estimated at five litres or ten units - seven units more than she lost.
He said this can cause pressure on the heart and when asked by Mr John Jordan, counsel for Mrs Flanagan’s husband Padraig if fluid overload was a factor in her death, he replied that he thought it was a factor.
“Fluid overload is a major factor but you should have expected her [Mrs Flanagan] to be able to survive. A fit heart should be able to get rid of excess fluid. I do not believe AFE was a major attribute to the death but it may have worked to tip it over the edge,” he said.
Dr Kevin West, a Consultant Pathologist with the Leicester Royal Infirmary, told the inquest that after after reviewing the full medical reports he said that fluid overload contributed to the death and his conclusion was the cause of death was acute cardiac failure following post partum bleeding following blood and fluid administration.
Under questioning from Mr Jordan, Dr West agreed that fluid failure can cause heart failure and death and was in no doubt that there was blood and fluid overload.
“AFE was not the major cause of death, it may have contributed but it was not the cause of death. There is clearly an issue with the management of the patient but that is beyond my field of expertise. I believe fluid overload contributed to the death,” he said.
During the hearing last October, Mr Flanagan claimed that his wife would be alive if the Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at MGH, Dr Mohammed had done enough to find the source of the bleeding and not wasted time before finally bringing her to the operating theatre.
Mrs Flanagan was eventually brought to surgery and underwent a hysterectomy, which stopped the bleeding. However, during surgery she suffered two cardiac arrests and as her heart gradually weakened she died at 4am on October 19.
After reviewing the evidence, the jury found that the death was due to medical misadventure and the cause of death was due to acute cardiac failure following post-partum bleeding following blood and fluid administration.
Mr John O’Dywer, Coroner for Mayo South expressed sympathy with Padraig, his two children and Evelyn’s mother, Bridie and brothers Padraig, Gabriel and Brendan.
“This has been a difficult road and I express my sympathy that it took so long to get it right. I also commiserated with Dr Mohammed and the medical team in MGH, it is never easy to lose a patient, there are no winners here. It is a tragedy when a mother gives and life to a baby and dies which does not normally happen,” he said.
