Mom with torn bowel claims doctors dismissed it as anxiety

By Athena Stavrou via SWNS

A mom who suffered a torn bowel and developed sepsis says she was told she was anxious - and to drink peppermint tea.

Farrah Moseley-Brown, 27, had "agonizing pain" in her stomach after she gave birth to her second child Clay.

She was booked into University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, for a Cesarean in May 2020.

After Clay was born Ms Moseley-Brown lost over two pints of blood and needed surgery to stem the bleeding.

The following day Farrah, who also has a son, Cohan aged six, started complaining of constipation.

She received treatment for the condition and was discharged home on May 10.

Farrah, of Barry, Wales, told the BBC: "Every single night they'd say 'she's anxious, she's just anxious'.

''I was just given tablets for constipation and was fed lots of peppermint tea."

Two days later she called the hospital complaining of stomach pain and issues with keeping food down and was re-admitted.

She spent three nights in hospital between 12 and 15 May - but was then sent home again.

The following day, she was re-admitted again complaining of hip pain.

Farrah was taken back by ambulance to hospital for a second time at around 1pm the following day - 16 May.

She had a fever, raised heart rate and was breathing rapidly.

Following tests, she was diagnosed with a perforated bowel and sepsis – where the body attacks itself in response to an infection.

She underwent emergency surgery and remained in hospital for three weeks.

She now has a stoma and still suffers from fatigue and stomach pain, as well as muscle and joint pain and is reliant on her family to help care for her and her children.

Farrah said: “Shortly after giving birth to Clay the pain started and as the days passed it felt like it was getting worse.

''I had a feeling that I constantly needed the toilet but I couldn’t go.
When I was home the pain continued to get worse.

''I was in absolute agony and spent hours curled up in a ball it was that bad and I knew I needed to go back to hospital.

“Once back in hospital although I was in pain I felt slightly reassured thinking I would get the care I needed.

"When I was told I could go home a second time I wasn’t sure as the pain was still there but I trusted what I was being told.

''That night at home was the worst of my life, I was in so much pain and could hardly function.

“Because of the pain my body was trying to sleep and everything is a blur.

"All I remember is an ambulance being called and the day after arriving back in hospital being told I was going to be put to sleep because I had a perforated bowel and without urgent treatment I could die."

The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have since admitted it failed to undertake further scans or arrange a surgical opinion to diagnose Farrah’s condition.

If it wasn’t for the breach of duty Farrah wouldn’t have developed a bowel infection, wouldn’t have suffered a perforated bowel and wouldn’t have needed bowel surgery or to have a stoma fitted, the Board admitted.

Farrah’s legal team and the Health Board are now working towards a settlement which will fund the ongoing care and support she needs.

James Pink, a specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Cardiff office, representing Farrah, said: “Constipation can be common in women after giving birth and in some cases such as Farrah’s can lead to incredibly serious and life-threatening conditions if not treated correctly.

“The last few years and coming to terms with the physical and psychological impact of what happened has been incredibly difficult for her.

“Understandably she had a number of concerns about her care and while nothing can make up for what happened we’re pleased that we’ve been able to provide Farrah with the answers she deserves."

Farrah added: “It’s more than two years since my operation but my life still isn’t what it was before this ordeal.

"I try not to let it affect me but I’m conscious of my stoma and try and wear baggy clothes to disguise it.

"I’m still living in pain and while I try my best I’m not able to look after my boys it’s sometimes a struggle. Even little things like picking them up to give them a cuddle can be difficult.

“Nothing will ever make up for the hurt and pain I’ve been through and continue to face but at least I now have answers.

"I just hope that by speaking out others don’t have to go through what I have as I wouldn’t wish it anyone.”