AN Abergavenny family is demanding answers of both Nevill Hall Hospital and the Aneurin Bevan Health Trust after a lengthy and traumatic delivery left a newborn baby with two skull fractures.

After hours in labour new mother Jodie Matthews, aged 23, eventually gave birth after medical staff failed to deliver the baby naturally and undertook to perform an emergency caesarean section.

But Jodie and her parents believe the procedure appeared to go wrong resulting in baby Ieuan suffering from heavy bruising on his head.

The family also believe that the baby's on-going problems with seizures are as a result of the traumatic birth.

Jodie first attended the maternity ward of Nevill Hall Hospital on July 28 when, despite telling medical staff that she thought she was in labour, she was sent home again.

But Jodie, from Skirrid Close, was rushed back into hospital the next day in excruciating pain

A doctor examined her and said that the birth of her baby was imminent and she was immediately taken to the delivery suite where she then encountered problems in giving birth.

Some time into her labour Jodie says she was given an epidural, but the birth was still causing problems.

Jodie explained that the medical team then decided to push the baby back up the birth canal and perform an emergency caesarean section.

Jodie said: "When the medical team eventually got my baby out they had trouble in getting him to breath and by this time he was also suffering from hypothermia."

Afterwards both mother and baby were taken back to the maternity unit, but Jodie felt that the baby was not looking very well and she raised her concerns with a pediatrician who diagnosed numerous problems with baby Ieuan, who weighed 5lb 12oz.

Jodie and her parents were told that there appeared to be blood irregularities with the baby and that he was having difficulty in feeding.

He was then whisked away to the hospital's Special Care Baby Unit where he underwent a series of tests, including an MRI scan of his head.

But when the family saw the results they were shocked to discover two large fractures in the baby's skull which was heavily bruised.

During the baby's 11-day stay in the neo-natal unit Jodie's family made a number of complaints to the hospital about the way the whole procedure was carried out.

The family has since been told that the doctor on duty that day no longer works at Nevill Hall.

Ieuan's grandmother, Angela Matthews said, "We want answers as to why my fit and healthy young daughter was unable to give her baby a dignified birth.

"The results of the MRI were extremely distressing to all of us. We believe the doctor on duty was at fault.

"Despite all of our attempts, we've had no real communication with the hospital or the health board. We want assurances that these incidents from his birth will have no long term lasting effects on the baby's future wellbeing."

Jodie added, "We've never had an official explanation of what went on in the delivery suite.

"I visited him every day and it was heartbreaking not being able to bring him home. And because of all the problems I felt I had great difficulty bonding with my son.

"He seems to be making good progress now and he is gaining weight. However I am concerned that his 'clicking shoulders' could be a problem arising from his traumatic birth.

"There is nothing more we can do as we are desperately concerned about his future well being and we want a proper diagnosis of any problems he might have to face.

"When Ieuan arrived home from hospital his head was badly bruised, full of scabs and badly scared. But he looks healthy now and only time will tell if his injuries will have any lasting effect."

A spokesman for the Aneurin Bevan Health Board said: "An investigation is currently underway and it would therefore be inappropriate for the Health Board to comment further at this stage.

"We recognise and understand the concerns of the family and have been in contact with them to keep them informed as the investigation continues. 

"The Health Board will continue to offer any further support the family requires."