'Excessive force' in baby death

A baby died shortly after birth because the doctor who delivered her applied excessive force when using a suction device and forceps, a court heard.

Olivia Rowlings was born at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on 14 May, 2002, and died from serious head and brain injuries eight hours later.

Dr Mohie El-Khadem, from Prestbury Avenue, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, denies manslaughter.

His trial started at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday.

The obstetrician is accused of failing to carry out proper examinations during labour and of using excessive force to pull the child out in a trial.

'Don't do this'

It is alleged the doctor's actions caused the baby to suffer serious head and brain injuries from which she later died.

William Davis QC, prosecuting, said Olivia's mother Julie Rowlings had not had an easy pregnancy and had suffered a back problem which meant she had been in and out of hospital.

The lawyer said doctors had decided to induce her first child a week early so they could treat her back complaint soon after.

Mr Davis said a student midwife observing the delivery noted that Dr El-Khadem was "leaning back and sweating as he applied traction to the cup".

A midwife in the theatre recalled seeing the obstetrician looking at the ceiling and saying "Don't do this to me" as he pulled on the forceps, said the prosecutor.

'Gross negligence'

Mr Davis added: "The use of far too much force was inevitable because baby wasn't in the right position. Dr El-Khadem used forceps when it was wrong to do so."

Mr Davis told the jury: "We say the death of Olivia was caused by the use of these instruments.

"It was Dr El-Khadem who used them and we say Dr El-Khadem did not exercise reasonable care in delivery of baby Olivia.

"We say, given the risk of death to this baby involved in his lack of care...his conduct was so bad that it amounts to a criminal offence of manslaughter by gross negligence."

Olivia's mother Julie Rowlings, 34, from Telford, Shropshire, explained to the court how she felt pressure when the forceps were used: "Dr El-Khadem was telling me to push.

"His face was contorted and sweaty. You could see he was really pushing. He was straining and leaning back.

"I had to hold onto the table because I was sliding down it.

"My husband put his arms under my arms and pulled them up."

She told the panel she and her husband Neil, 36, later heard the doctor talking in the operating room: "We heard El-Khadem cry out 'It's all my fault. It's all my fault'."

The trial was adjourned until tomorrow.