Glasgow Mother 'Haunted' by Hospital Mix-Up After Stillbirth Trauma
A woman from Glasgow has spoken out about being 'haunted' by a devastating hospital mix-up where she and her former partner were given the wrong baby following the traumatic stillbirth of their son. Lindsay Richardson, now 40, described how the error compounded her grief and shattered her trust in the healthcare system.
The Tragic Events at Princess Royal Maternity
Lindsay went into preterm labour on December 6, 2019, and at nearly 21 weeks delivered a stillborn baby boy named Charlie at the Princess Royal Maternity unit. Shortly after giving birth, the then 34-year-old was rushed to theatre after haemorrhaging, as her placenta failed to deliver naturally, requiring surgical removal. During this critical period, Charlie's father, John, was informed that Lindsay's condition was 'touch and go'.
While Lindsay was in surgery, a midwife brought a baby to John, who immediately questioned whether it was his son Charlie. Despite his concerns, midwives reportedly reassured him, stating that 'no other baby died on the ward' that day. John cradled and grieved the infant for nearly an hour before staff abruptly returned, took the baby away, and apologised, confirming it was not Charlie.
Identifying the Heartbreaking Error
Speaking to GlasgowLive, Lindsay explained that the baby handed to John appeared to be a much younger foetus with no developed features, unlike their son, who had eyebrows, fingernails, and toes. She noted, 'He had my nose', emphasising the visible differences that made the mix-up inexplicable to the grieving parents.
An investigation conducted in 2020 revealed that no identification was checked when a midwife went to retrieve baby Charlie. The staff member had incorrectly assumed the identity of the infant. The baby given to John was awaiting transfer to the mortuary and had been placed in the same secure room as Charlie, leading to the catastrophic error.
Lasting Impact on the Family
Lindsay described how, during her two-day hospital recovery, she wheeled Charlie's cot everywhere she went, even to the toilet, stating, 'I didn't want my eyes off him'. She expressed relief that the mix-up was discovered before both babies were taken to the mortuary, but admitted, 'It destroyed my faith in the NHS'.
The couple ended their relationship months after Charlie's birth, with Lindsay revealing that the trauma left her mental health 'crippled'. In 2021, she and her current partner fell pregnant but suffered a miscarriage. Lindsay shared her 'desperate' desire to be a mother but confessed to having serious anxieties about the level of care following her experiences.
Investigation Findings and Apology
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) conducted a Significant Clinical Incident Review, concluding that this was an 'avoidable event'. The investigation found that the lack of a proper identification process, combined with an established practice of not identifying babies before removal from patients' rooms, contributed to the mix-up. Two recommendations were made, and the family received an apology.
A spokesperson for NHSGGC said, 'We recognise that baby loss is a deeply painful and distressing experience, and our heartfelt condolences remain with John and Lindsay. We are profoundly sorry that this difficult incident in 2019 occurred and apologise again to the family for the upset this caused.' The spokesperson added that strengthened processes and new staff guidance have been implemented across all NHSGGC maternity sites to prevent similar incidents.
Remembering Charlie
After spending a couple of days with their baby boy, Lindsay and John had Charlie cremated, with his ashes scattered alongside Lindsay's parents. He is remembered and celebrated on special occasions such as Mother's Day, birthdays, and Christmas. On December 6, 2025, balloons, teddies, flowers, and cards were left by Charlie's memorial to mark what would have been his sixth birthday. Lindsay reflected, 'I always wonder what could have been', a sentiment that continues to haunt her years after the tragic loss.
