This is a moving and challenging drama-documentary that tells the story of Alexandra, who died as a result of a spinal injury aged 3 days. After an uncomplicated and healthy pregnancy Beatrix Campbell was admitted to hospital two weeks after her expected due date. Despite the sudden change in her birth plan she was optimistic and confident.But as her labour failed to progress, the communication between Beatrix, her husband and their caregivers began to disintegrate. After 40 hours of labour, a Keilland’s forceps delivery was performed with catastrophic consequences. Alexandra was born quadriplegic.
In this powerful and often distressing account of their experience, Beatrix explores the decisions made about her care before, during and after Alexandra’s birth, and the factors that she feels led to their daughter’s injuries.
She discusses what she and her husband encountered as they attempted to discover how and why their daughter died, and their frustration and despair at a system that appeared to lack compassion and care when they needed it most.
“I am inspired by Beatrix’s dignity and strength. Her story is deeply saddening and the reality of that is captured well. Alexandra’s story offers many important learning points and is an invaluable educational tool. I intend to make my Supervisor of Midwives aware of this resource and champion its use in Mandatory Midwifery updates and Doctors induction programmes. Thank You.”
Julia Brown
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Diane Roberts says
obviously this is one side to an incident, however it does not serve to demonstrate a service which listens or is reflective and that is learning from incidents. there is no place for secrecy or arrogance in this service and i am confident that our Trust takes an open honest sharing approach to such incidents which do occur sometimes despite best efforts.
Murray Anderson-Wallace says
I have no doubt whatsoever that there are other accounts and perspectives of what happened in Alexandra’s story. This is a controversial procedure which is seen as outmoded by some practitioners. But the film is not really about that or about technical competence. As you point out it is much more about how Beatrix and Craig were not “heard” during the process and how they felt “unacknowledged” despite multiple meetings and attempts at repair.
We shared this film with the organisation concerned. It prompted a very valuable conversation. We offered them a formal right of reply but they declined.
Julia Brown says
I am inspired by Beatrix’s dignity and strength. Her story is deeply saddening and the reality of that is captured well. Alexandra’s story offers many important learning points and is an invaluable educational tool. I intend to make my Supervisor of Midwives aware of this resource and champion its use in Mandatory Midwifery updates and Doctors induction programmes. Thank You.