An investigation into the tragic death of baby Sonny Taylor, who died just three days after his birth, has identified serious failures in maternity care and raised urgent concerns about how risks to unborn babies are recognised and acted upon during labour.

Sonny’s mother, Eve, was admitted to Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital in Bangor at 36 weeks gestation after showing signs of infection, a well known risk factor requiring heightened vigilance in maternity care. Infections during pregnancy and labour significantly increase the risk of fetal distress, sepsis and brain injury, and national clinical guidelines stress the importance of close monitoring and timely intervention in these circumstances.

During Eve’s admission, Sonny’s heart rate was recorded as abnormally low. A reduced fetal heart rate is a recognised red flag and should prompt urgent escalation, continuous monitoring and consideration of immediate delivery if concerns persist. Despite this, Eve was not woken overnight for further observations, nor was she transferred for emergency obstetric intervention.

Tragically, as labour progressed without adequate monitoring or timely escalation, Sonny suffered catastrophic brain injury and developed sepsis. He passed away just three days later, with his parents by his side. The investigation later concluded that earlier recognition of deterioration and prompt delivery could have changed the outcome.

Failures identified by the investigation

An investigation by NHS Wales concluded that a series of delays and missed opportunities directly contributed to Sonny’s death. The report found that Eve should have been woken by a midwife at around 10pm on the night of her admission so that Sonny’s movements and condition could be closely monitored. Had this taken place, there was a real possibility that concerns would have been identified sooner and Sonny delivered earlier.

The investigation also found that Eve should have been transferred straight for an emergency caesarean section, rather than being admitted to the labour ward. These were not minor oversights or administrative errors, they were critical failures in clinical decision-making and monitoring, with devastating consequences.

NHS Wales has since issued an apology, stating that it is “deeply sorry” for Sonny’s death and committed to learning lessons to improve maternity care.

Why this matters in clinical negligence

Cases like Sonny’s highlight the very real human impact of failures in maternity care. Clinical negligence is not about blame for its own sake, it is about recognising when

care has fallen below an acceptable standard and ensuring families receive answers, accountability and support.

Maternity claims remain one of the largest areas of medical negligence in the UK. A recent annual report revealed that maternity cases account for 41% of all NHS clinical negligence claims, with hundreds relating specifically to brain injuries sustained at birth. These figures underline that, despite ongoing reviews and reforms, significant risks remain within maternity services.

How we can help

Williamsons Solicitors has extensive experience supporting families affected by maternity related clinical negligence, including birth injury, traumatic birth, wrongful birth, and delays in diagnosis or treatment. We understand how overwhelming and isolating these experiences can be, and we are committed to guiding families with sensitivity, clarity and compassion.

If you or your child were harmed during pregnancy, labour or birth, you may be entitled to seek answers and support. Our Clinical Negligence Team is here to listen and help you understand your options.