A woman who died following the birth of twins at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda last March had presented at the hospital a few days before the infants were born, claiming her waters had broken, it has emerged.
Tania McCabe (34) was at work on Tuesday, March 6th when, believing her waters were breaking, she was taken to the Drogheda hospital.
The Irish Times has learned that she presented with abdominal pain and was kept in hospital overnight. It is understood tests did not confirm her belief and the belief of some staff that her waters had broken. She was given a prescription for antibiotics, told she had a kidney infection and sent home the next day.
She rested that day and was in pain again the following day, Thursday, but attributed it to the kidney infection. She was taken back to the hospital that evening when the pain persisted. When she was examined, she was already well into her labour. She was rushed to the theatre for an emergency Caesarean section. She was less than seven months pregnant.
Her twin boys were delivered and one died shortly afterwards. The other boy was initially transferred to a special care unit at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin, but is now home, it is understood.
Mrs McCabe bled heavily after her Caesarean section and died early the next morning, Friday, March 9th. A hysterectomy had been contemplated but it is not clear if one had been carried out by the time she died.
It is understood she also had a serious infection at the time of her death.
An inquiry was established by the Health Service Executive (HSE) northeast region to examine all the circumstances surrounding her death and the death of her infant son Zach.
The inquiry team is chaired by Dr Seosamh Ó Coigligh, a consultant obstetrician at the Lourdes Hospital. Other members of the team include Dr Rory Page, a consultant anaesthetist at Cavan General Hospital; Patricia Hughes, director of midwifery and nursing at the Coombe Women's Hospital; and Gerry Clerkin, HSE northeast risk adviser.
Asked if Mrs McCabe had presented at the hospital a few days before her babies were born, a spokeswoman for the HSE northeast, which runs the Drogheda hospital, said the inquiry would look at all aspects of her care. It is expected to conclude its work in the late autumn. All questions addressed by The Irish Times to the hospital were directed to the HSE.