Parent Story of David James

DAVID JAMES — AUSTRALIA
Stillborn May 11, 2018
Prenatal-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Not tested
Gestational Age: 35 weeks
Age Harmed: 35 weeks gestation

David was our first baby. We were so excited and so ready to meet him. The countdown was on! 

I had a straightforward pregnancy with no complications. David was growing well. I had attended my appointments throughout my pregnancy and the week before his birth I saw my regular GP and the midwife and had a booked ultrasound (checking growth with my gestational diabetes I was successfully managing with diet alone). At that ultrasound it was discovered that David had no heartbeat.

This was a total shock and absolutely heartbreaking to hear. I didn't have any signs or symptoms that anything was wrong - I had told the midwife the previous day of concerns of his position but that was not of concern to her. She checked his heartbeat that day and it was there. The next day it was not.  

I have never heard of or knew about Strep B infection until we got back the autopsy results. The infection had gotten into my uterus and infected David's little body. My waters had not been broken and my cervix was closed. This all happened very suddenly. 

I hope that improvements can be made for the future. I have come to learn that it is a simple swab test and antibiotics that could potentially prevent Strep B affecting a baby during labor and delivery. Earlier screening and more research is desperately needed.  

My husband and I miss David everyday.  

— Tracey Simpson