The news that her newborn daughter had died left a mother in KENT, UK, in a state of utter devastation as doctors broke the news to her. On the other hand, forty-five minutes later, they delivered their daughter to her in a living condition. Sadly, a few hours later, little girl Grace passed away, and the local hospital issued a public apology to Alisha Pegg for not providing adequate care for the baby.
Pegg revealed that on February 27 – only 22 weeks pregnant – she had gone to the hospital because she was suffering from malaise and nausea. According to The Sun, she explained that she was “doubled over in pain and sick” and that when she called the doctors they concluded she had a bladder infection based on her symptoms. “Despite the fact that I couldn’t feel Grace, I went in anyway. After being asked by a midwife to describe the symptoms, my first thought was about the birth. I had experience giving birth so I understood what it felt like and I noticed my waters were starting to leak.”
Pegg said she was asked to return home after receiving a “quick” evaluation of her condition. According to the patient, “They didn’t do a dilation check and they didn’t check to see if my waters had gone — the doctor did a bedside scan, which took about a minute.” “I was told they might find a heartbeat though no movement so they indicated she must have been asleep,” the witness continued. “They could detect a heartbeat but no movement.” “I wasn’t happy and told them my body felt like it wanted to push, but they told me to go home anyway,” she said.
After completing Pegg’s initial stay at the medical facility, her mother took her daughter home. Not much later, however, she went into full-blown labor and had to call an ambulance. “About 1.20am the pain increased, I felt sick, I started sweating and the room started spinning. Around 2:30 am I became aware that something was seriously wrong; at 2:40 am I called 999; and at 2:45 a.m. I gave birth alone at home”— I quote her. “I have nothing but praise for the paramedics; they did an excellent job. They were as helpful as they could be.”
After some time, Grace was transported to the neonatal emergency room, and about an hour later, Pegg was informed that the child had passed away. However, Grace was delivered to her in a conscious state not long after. Pegg explained, “I was told that Grace didn’t make it, but then they brought her alive to me 45 minutes later.” “I was told that Grace didn’t make it.” were able to provide medical assistance and she died at around 6:30 a.m. I had to go through the grieving process not just once, but twice.” Pegg detailed her ordeal in a post on Facebook, where she says, “It’s important that people hear Grace’s story and that they are made aware of the issue . Help her get her name out there by sharing this post and spreading the word.”
A fundraising page was set up on JustGiving to collect money for a memorial bench to be placed in Pegg’s neighborhood gardens. “In February 2021 I had to say goodbye to my daughter Grace. I would like to put up a memorial bench in honor of Grace. This bench would be placed in Ashford Memorial Gardens and any additional funds raised would also be donated to East Kent Baby Memorial Gardens.” Pegg had written something on the website. At the time of writing, a total of £59 (approx. $72) had been raised out of the target amount of £1000 (approx. $1221).
Following Grace’s death, Rebecca Martin, the Trust’s Medical Director, said: “We are truly sorry that our organization has not provided the level of care and support that was required. As a result of Grace’s tragic loss, we have revised our procedures and policies, one of which is the addition of additional monitoring for women who are more likely to be in preterm labour. We are committed to continuing to provide the family with ongoing support and responding to all of their requests.”