A mother has released shocking photos that show her baby suffered horrifying injuries after the doctor delivering her pulled at her daughter's head three times with a suction cup.
Louise Greene, 19, from Horndon-on-the-Hill, Essex, and her fiance Tommy Acott have revealed how Scarlett was born with a bruised scalp and a horrific 6cm cut across her head after a complicated birth.
The newborn, who is now a year old, was delivered in Basildon Hospital weighing 7lbs 6oz, and was rushed into intensive care in an incubator - looking like a ‘bloody mess’.
Louise Greene, 19, pictured recently with Scarlett, said: 'When Scarlett arrived, they immediately took her way from me. I was so worried. They covered her up, all I could see were her eyes and nose'
Baby Scarlett Greene, who is now a year old, arrived in Basildon Hospital (pictured) weighing 7lbs 6oz, but was immediately rushed into intensive care after her delivery left her face a ‘bloody mess’
Scarlett, pictured in intensive care, had a large wound on her head when she was born and ‘had to have an X-ray to see if her skull was fractured'
However a spokesperson told how staff were forced to act as 'quickly as possible' after the baby's heart dropped.
Tommy, 20, and Louise, 19, who are childhood sweethearts and have been together since college, said they have been ‘through hell and back’ with the ordeal - which has 'put us off having another child for life'.
Louise said: 'Even today I'm angry because I missed out on the first moments of life with my little girl.
'Whenever I look at those photos of her, it breaks my heart into tiny pieces. Scarlett won't remember it but Tom and I have to live with it for the rest of our lives.'
Scarlett was born just after midnight late February 2015. During the final hours of labour, mother Louise was exhausted, and when she was offered an epidural – she readily agreed.
Louise (pictured with Scarlett in hospital after the birth last year) and her fiance Tom have said the ordeal has put them off having another child
Louise, pictured recently with partner Tom and Scarlett. 'Whenever I look at those first photos of her it breaks my heart into tiny pieces,' Louise reveals
In theatre, Scarlett was finally manipulated into the correct position and then safely delivered – but with horrific injuries (pictured) that included a 6cm cut across the top of her head (right)
Yet the labour was unable to progress any further because Scarlett was apparently in the wrong position. It was impossible for her to be delivered naturally.
With the baby becoming distressed, the midwife rushed to prepare theatre where she could be safely turned to the right position.
Left alone, the consultant gynaecologist - a male locum doctor - on call decided to take matters into his own hands.
He attempted to deliver Scarlett three times using a vacuum suction cup. With the cap attached to the baby’s head each time, he pulled repeatedly - without success.
The third time she claims that he pulled so hard – he fell off his chair and Louise nearly fell off the delivery bed.
Undeterred, he then began pulling Scarlett out with forceps clamped at each side of her head.
Louise from Horndon-on-the-Hill, Essex, and her fiance Tommy Acott have revealed how Scarlett (pictured together recently) was born with a bruised scalp and a horrific 6cm cut across her head
Michelle, pictured, a mother of five, who was also present during the birth of three of her other four grandchildren, said: ‘I thought the worst. I just knew it was Scarlett and that something had gone terribly wrong
When the midwife returned and saw what he was doing, according to Michelle, who was outside the delivery suite, she screamed at him to stop.
In theatre, Scarlett was finally manipulated into the correct position and then safely delivered – but with horrific injuries.
Tommy and Louise didn’t get that first precious cuddle with their baby girl. Instead she was rushed into neo-natal intensive care where the damage of her brutal delivery was assessed.
For the following week, Louise stayed in a private room – out of sight of other mothers - recovering from her own internal injuries.
Scarlett remained in neonatal intensive care where she was unable to feed normally for the first three days
Tommy (pictured with Scarlett in hospital) and Louise didn’t get that first precious cuddle with their baby girl. Instead she was rushed into neo-natal intensive care where the damage of her brutal delivery was assessed
Scarlett remained in neonatal intensive care where she was unable to feed normally for the first three days.
According to medical paperwork, Scarlett’s scalp suffered bruising and a laceration of 1cm x 6cm. There was also bruising around her mouth and on each side of her face.
Louise said: 'I was induced because of diabetes, at 10pm that night a male doctor walked into the suite. I was very uncomfortable about it.
'He didn't explain he wanted to use the vacuum or forceps.'
'When Scarlett arrived, they immediately took her way from me. I was so worried. They covered her up, all I could see were her eyes and nose.'
Her partner Tom said: 'It's put us both off for life having another child. I'd never put Louise, myself or a child through that again.'
All smiles from Scarlett, pictured above age 1, but things were very different after her birth. ‘She was in so much pain – you could see it in her face. I welled up every time I looked at her,' says grandma Michelle
Tom's mother Michelle Acott, a mother-of-five who was outside the delivery room at the time, said: ‘I thought the worst. I just knew it was Scarlett and that something had gone terribly wrong.
‘There was a medical team racing alongside her as they headed to intensive care.
‘My instincts proved correct. But even I couldn’t have anticipated how bad things had been in the delivery suite.
‘My darling little granddaughter's scalp was a bloody mess. Her face was not only swollen, it was black and blue.’
The wound on her head was enormous. Her little face was black and blue. She was in so much pain – you could see it in her face. I welled up every time I looked at her
Michelle, who was with Louise and Tommy for much of the labour, said: ‘My granddaughter stayed in the Special Care Baby Unit for a week after being butchered during her delivery.
‘She even had to have an X-ray to see if her skull was fractured. The stress was unimaginable.
‘The wound on her head was enormous. Her little face was black and blue. She was in so much pain – you could see it in her face. I welled up every time I looked at her.’
Even though mother and baby arrived home after a week, Michelle said their meeting with the hospital complaints team was cancelled on two occasions. It finally happened in April – some two months later.
According to a recording of a complaints meeting, Dr Sharma - the head of the maternity unit - apologised to Michelle.
Over the last 12 months, Louise has had counselling to get over the ordeal, baby Scarlett, pictured recently, has been examined by experts from a plastic surgeon to an ophthalmologist
Over the past 12 months, Louise has had counselling to get over the ordeal and baby Scarlett has been examined by experts including a plastic surgeon and an ophthalmologist.
‘No one knew what the long term impact of Scarlett’s injuries could be. We’ve seen an eye specialist to check her vision hadn’t been damaged,’ Michelle said.
‘Then there was a plastic surgeon who examined her face and scalp too. Louise was given physiotherapy exercises to do with Scarlett to enable her to move her neck properly.’
There are still fears that Scarlett’s hair isn’t growing as it should and that it might be due to the scarring on her scalp.
While a year on the physical injuries have cleared, the mental scars still remain for Scarlett’s family.
‘We’ve had the apologies, we know the NHS is under stress, this isn’t about seeking compensation from them,’ Michelle said.
‘I don’t want any other family to go through the hell we’ve endured.
A spokesperson for Basildon Hospital told FEMAIL: 'This was a very complicated birth and we have met with Scarlett’s family on a number of occasions to discuss their concerns.
'During Scarlett’s birth it became clear that her heart rate was dropping which indicates she was in distress.
'A decision was taken by the doctor responsible for her care to make an assisted delivery using a ventouse suction cup followed by forceps to help deliver the baby as quickly as possible. Both are recognised clinical options when there are concerns about a baby’s heart rate.
'Unfortunately in Scarlett’s case this led to significant bruising and a cut which can be complications of assisted deliveries.
'When the doctor was unable to complete the procedure successfully a senior consultant came to assist. We have continued to care for Scarlett since her birth and delighted that she has made good progress.'
Louise Greene, 19, from Horndon-on-the-Hill, Essex, and her fiance Tommy Acott have revealed how Scarlett was born with a bruised scalp and a horrific 6cm cut across her head after a complicated birth.
The newborn, who is now a year old, was delivered in Basildon Hospital weighing 7lbs 6oz, and was rushed into intensive care in an incubator - looking like a ‘bloody mess’.
Louise Greene, 19, pictured recently with Scarlett, said: 'When Scarlett arrived, they immediately took her way from me. I was so worried. They covered her up, all I could see were her eyes and nose'
Baby Scarlett Greene, who is now a year old, arrived in Basildon Hospital (pictured) weighing 7lbs 6oz, but was immediately rushed into intensive care after her delivery left her face a ‘bloody mess’
Scarlett, pictured in intensive care, had a large wound on her head when she was born and ‘had to have an X-ray to see if her skull was fractured'
However a spokesperson told how staff were forced to act as 'quickly as possible' after the baby's heart dropped.
Tommy, 20, and Louise, 19, who are childhood sweethearts and have been together since college, said they have been ‘through hell and back’ with the ordeal - which has 'put us off having another child for life'.
Louise said: 'Even today I'm angry because I missed out on the first moments of life with my little girl.
'Whenever I look at those photos of her, it breaks my heart into tiny pieces. Scarlett won't remember it but Tom and I have to live with it for the rest of our lives.'
Scarlett was born just after midnight late February 2015. During the final hours of labour, mother Louise was exhausted, and when she was offered an epidural – she readily agreed.
Louise (pictured with Scarlett in hospital after the birth last year) and her fiance Tom have said the ordeal has put them off having another child
Louise, pictured recently with partner Tom and Scarlett. 'Whenever I look at those first photos of her it breaks my heart into tiny pieces,' Louise reveals
In theatre, Scarlett was finally manipulated into the correct position and then safely delivered – but with horrific injuries (pictured) that included a 6cm cut across the top of her head (right)
Yet the labour was unable to progress any further because Scarlett was apparently in the wrong position. It was impossible for her to be delivered naturally.
With the baby becoming distressed, the midwife rushed to prepare theatre where she could be safely turned to the right position.
Left alone, the consultant gynaecologist - a male locum doctor - on call decided to take matters into his own hands.
He attempted to deliver Scarlett three times using a vacuum suction cup. With the cap attached to the baby’s head each time, he pulled repeatedly - without success.
The third time she claims that he pulled so hard – he fell off his chair and Louise nearly fell off the delivery bed.
Undeterred, he then began pulling Scarlett out with forceps clamped at each side of her head.
Louise from Horndon-on-the-Hill, Essex, and her fiance Tommy Acott have revealed how Scarlett (pictured together recently) was born with a bruised scalp and a horrific 6cm cut across her head
Michelle, pictured, a mother of five, who was also present during the birth of three of her other four grandchildren, said: ‘I thought the worst. I just knew it was Scarlett and that something had gone terribly wrong
When the midwife returned and saw what he was doing, according to Michelle, who was outside the delivery suite, she screamed at him to stop.
In theatre, Scarlett was finally manipulated into the correct position and then safely delivered – but with horrific injuries.
Tommy and Louise didn’t get that first precious cuddle with their baby girl. Instead she was rushed into neo-natal intensive care where the damage of her brutal delivery was assessed.
For the following week, Louise stayed in a private room – out of sight of other mothers - recovering from her own internal injuries.
Scarlett remained in neonatal intensive care where she was unable to feed normally for the first three days
Tommy (pictured with Scarlett in hospital) and Louise didn’t get that first precious cuddle with their baby girl. Instead she was rushed into neo-natal intensive care where the damage of her brutal delivery was assessed
Scarlett remained in neonatal intensive care where she was unable to feed normally for the first three days.
According to medical paperwork, Scarlett’s scalp suffered bruising and a laceration of 1cm x 6cm. There was also bruising around her mouth and on each side of her face.
Louise said: 'I was induced because of diabetes, at 10pm that night a male doctor walked into the suite. I was very uncomfortable about it.
'He didn't explain he wanted to use the vacuum or forceps.'
'When Scarlett arrived, they immediately took her way from me. I was so worried. They covered her up, all I could see were her eyes and nose.'
Her partner Tom said: 'It's put us both off for life having another child. I'd never put Louise, myself or a child through that again.'
All smiles from Scarlett, pictured above age 1, but things were very different after her birth. ‘She was in so much pain – you could see it in her face. I welled up every time I looked at her,' says grandma Michelle
Tom's mother Michelle Acott, a mother-of-five who was outside the delivery room at the time, said: ‘I thought the worst. I just knew it was Scarlett and that something had gone terribly wrong.
‘There was a medical team racing alongside her as they headed to intensive care.
‘My instincts proved correct. But even I couldn’t have anticipated how bad things had been in the delivery suite.
‘My darling little granddaughter's scalp was a bloody mess. Her face was not only swollen, it was black and blue.’
The wound on her head was enormous. Her little face was black and blue. She was in so much pain – you could see it in her face. I welled up every time I looked at her
Michelle, who was with Louise and Tommy for much of the labour, said: ‘My granddaughter stayed in the Special Care Baby Unit for a week after being butchered during her delivery.
‘She even had to have an X-ray to see if her skull was fractured. The stress was unimaginable.
‘The wound on her head was enormous. Her little face was black and blue. She was in so much pain – you could see it in her face. I welled up every time I looked at her.’
Even though mother and baby arrived home after a week, Michelle said their meeting with the hospital complaints team was cancelled on two occasions. It finally happened in April – some two months later.
According to a recording of a complaints meeting, Dr Sharma - the head of the maternity unit - apologised to Michelle.
Over the last 12 months, Louise has had counselling to get over the ordeal, baby Scarlett, pictured recently, has been examined by experts from a plastic surgeon to an ophthalmologist
Over the past 12 months, Louise has had counselling to get over the ordeal and baby Scarlett has been examined by experts including a plastic surgeon and an ophthalmologist.
‘No one knew what the long term impact of Scarlett’s injuries could be. We’ve seen an eye specialist to check her vision hadn’t been damaged,’ Michelle said.
‘Then there was a plastic surgeon who examined her face and scalp too. Louise was given physiotherapy exercises to do with Scarlett to enable her to move her neck properly.’
There are still fears that Scarlett’s hair isn’t growing as it should and that it might be due to the scarring on her scalp.
While a year on the physical injuries have cleared, the mental scars still remain for Scarlett’s family.
‘We’ve had the apologies, we know the NHS is under stress, this isn’t about seeking compensation from them,’ Michelle said.
‘I don’t want any other family to go through the hell we’ve endured.
A spokesperson for Basildon Hospital told FEMAIL: 'This was a very complicated birth and we have met with Scarlett’s family on a number of occasions to discuss their concerns.
'During Scarlett’s birth it became clear that her heart rate was dropping which indicates she was in distress.
'A decision was taken by the doctor responsible for her care to make an assisted delivery using a ventouse suction cup followed by forceps to help deliver the baby as quickly as possible. Both are recognised clinical options when there are concerns about a baby’s heart rate.
'Unfortunately in Scarlett’s case this led to significant bruising and a cut which can be complications of assisted deliveries.
'When the doctor was unable to complete the procedure successfully a senior consultant came to assist. We have continued to care for Scarlett since her birth and delighted that she has made good progress.'
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