Central Queensland mother advocates for birth guidelines review after baby’s death two years ago

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A Central Queensland mother has successfully pushed for a review of birth guidelines following the death of her baby two years ago. She says the move is a crucial step in protecting other women from similar tragedies. Warning: This story contains distressing content.

Transcript

00:00Bec Spreadborough will never forget her treasured baby boy.

00:07Albie died after getting stuck during labour in 2023 at the Emerald Hospital.

00:13One minute we were having a baby and the next we were speaking with a funeral director.

00:18The injuries from the traumatic birth were severe.

00:22She risked a uterine rupture when pregnant with her second child.

00:26One of the hardest things I've ever had to do is be a good parent to him while I'm still grieving.

00:37In the two years since Albie's death she's worked relentlessly,

00:41getting Queensland Health to review its guideline for obstructed labour.

00:47I carry that on my shoulders because I don't want to hear of that happening again to another family.

00:56Queensland Health says following a review into Albie's death,

00:59it is developing a new state-wide clinical guideline for obstructed and prolonged labour,

01:06with patient safety its highest priority.

01:10Experts warn more needs to be done to make birthing safer in regional Queensland,

01:15with challenges keeping up staffing and training.

01:19It's a problem and I think so far it's been a band-aid solution.

01:24You need some sort of public inquiry, not a Royal Commission that's big and expensive,

01:30but something smaller with a retired judge to look at it reasonably quickly.

01:35Queensland Health says the guidelines will be finalised later this year.

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