Tragic Pregnancy Death Highlights the Importance of Antenatal Warning Signs and Thorough Checks

A tragic case involving a first-time mother who died after developing a rare and life-threatening pregnancy complication has raised concerns about the importance of thorough antenatal assessments and communication between healthcare teams.

Gemma Robins, a 30-year-old data analyst from Hove, died after spending 40 days in intensive care following the birth of her daughter. According to an inquest, there had been an opportunity during a late-pregnancy appointment to investigate possible signs of pre-eclampsia and other serious complications.

The case has prompted renewed attention on pregnancy warning signs, antenatal care and the potentially serious condition known as acute fatty liver of pregnancy, or AFLP.

What happened to Gemma Robins?

Gemma had reportedly experienced severe sickness throughout her pregnancy. At her 36-week antenatal appointment in April 2024, concerns were recorded about high blood pressure and slowed growth of her baby.

She also told healthcare professionals that she could not feel her baby moving.

The inquest heard that her urine was not tested for possible signs of pre-eclampsia and that her blood pressure should have been checked again. The coroner concluded that this represented a missed opportunity to investigate whether she was developing a serious pregnancy-related condition.

Two days later, Gemma became acutely unwell and was taken to Worthing Hospital. She was unable to keep food or fluids down and ultimately underwent an emergency caesarean section.

Her baby was born in very poor condition, while Gemma's own health continued to deteriorate.

Tests showed abnormalities affecting her liver and kidneys. She was later transferred to intensive care at Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton.

A rare and dangerous pregnancy condition

Gemma was diagnosed with acute fatty liver of pregnancy, a rare disorder that can occur during the third trimester.

AFLP can interfere with the normal functioning of the liver and may develop rapidly. If not recognised and treated promptly, it can become life-threatening for both mother and baby.

The condition can cause a range of symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, excessive thirst and jaundice.

Because some of these symptoms can overlap with ordinary pregnancy complaints, recognising a serious change in a pregnant woman's health can be challenging. That is why healthcare professionals may need to consider the overall picture, including blood pressure, urine results, blood tests and changes in symptoms.

The British Liver Trust describes AFLP as a rare but serious condition that requires urgent medical attention.

The importance of recognising pre-eclampsia

The inquest also focused on possible pre-eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication associated with high blood pressure and can affect organs including the liver and kidneys. Regular antenatal appointments are designed to identify warning signs and determine whether further investigation is needed.

Urine testing can be used as part of an assessment for protein in the urine, while blood pressure measurements and blood tests can provide additional information about a person's condition.

In Gemma's case, the coroner said blood tests might have revealed abnormal liver function and potentially resulted in an earlier hospital admission. However, the coroner also stressed that it could not be established whether earlier intervention would have prevented her death.

This distinction is important. The findings identified a missed opportunity for investigation, but they did not conclude that the missed checks directly caused Gemma's death.

A devastating medical deterioration

After giving birth, Gemma's condition became increasingly serious.

She developed severe acute necrotising pancreatitis, a particularly dangerous form of pancreatitis in which parts of the pancreas and surrounding tissue can become damaged or die.

She also experienced sepsis, liver dysfunction, kidney injury and complications involving her caesarean section wound.

Weeks later, Gemma suffered internal bleeding. A transfer to Royal Surrey County Hospital was delayed while specialist teams were being contacted.

She eventually underwent emergency surgery but died on June 13 after doctors concluded that there was nothing further they could do.

Her death was attributed to multi-organ failure, severe acute necrotising pancreatitis and acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

Coroner calls for lessons to be learned

West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Senior Coroner Penelope Schofield concluded that Gemma died from natural causes but identified areas where improvements could potentially protect other patients.

The coroner indicated that a Prevention of Future Deaths report would be issued concerning the antenatal care Gemma received. A further report was also expected to address communication difficulties between hospitals during her treatment and transfer.

Such reports are intended to highlight circumstances that could present risks to other people and encourage organisations to consider whether changes are necessary.

The healthcare organisations involved have expressed condolences to Gemma's family and said they were reviewing the findings.

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust said communication between hospitals had presented challenges and that it was committed to improving its systems.

University Hospitals Sussex also expressed sympathy to Gemma's loved ones and said it welcomed the opportunity to reflect on the coroner's findings.

What pregnancy symptoms should not be ignored?

Although many symptoms during pregnancy can have relatively harmless explanations, sudden or severe changes should always be taken seriously.

Pregnant women should seek urgent medical advice if they experience symptoms such as severe or persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, significant swelling, severe headache, visual disturbances, unusual breathlessness, jaundice, heavy bleeding or noticeably reduced fetal movement.

This does not mean that these symptoms always indicate a life-threatening condition. Instead, they can be warning signs that require professional assessment.

Anyone who is pregnant and concerned about new or worsening symptoms should contact their maternity team, doctor or emergency healthcare service as appropriate.

Why antenatal appointments matter

Routine antenatal care provides opportunities to identify potential complications before they become emergencies.

Blood pressure checks, urine tests, questions about symptoms and monitoring the baby's growth can all form part of pregnancy care. Depending on the circumstances, healthcare professionals may also recommend blood tests, scans or hospital assessment.

Gemma's case demonstrates why changes in symptoms and clinical measurements should be considered together rather than in isolation.

It also highlights the importance of patients being encouraged to speak up when something feels different or when symptoms become more severe.

Healthcare communication is equally important. When a patient needs to move between hospitals or specialist teams, accurate information and timely communication can help support continuity of care.

A family's heartbreaking loss

Gemma's parents described their daughter as warm, caring and protective. They said she had been excited about becoming a mother and had spent months preparing for the arrival of her baby.

They expressed hope that the inquest would lead to meaningful lessons, particularly for women who raise concerns during pregnancy or show potential signs of serious complications.

Their loss illustrates the devastating human impact that can follow a severe pregnancy complication.

While no single case can establish that a different medical decision would necessarily have changed the outcome, investigations such as inquests can identify areas where healthcare systems may be strengthened.

Final thoughts

The death of Gemma Robins has drawn attention to several important issues in maternity care, including recognising pregnancy warning signs, investigating abnormal findings and maintaining effective communication between healthcare providers.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is rare, but its potentially rapid progression means that awareness of symptoms and prompt medical assessment are important.

The case also underlines a broader message for expectant mothers: severe, unusual or worsening symptoms should not simply be dismissed as a normal part of pregnancy. Seeking professional advice can help determine whether further assessment is needed.

For healthcare services, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive antenatal checks and clear communication when concerns arise.

Most pregnancies do not develop these rare complications, but knowing the warning signs and seeking appropriate medical advice can help ensure potentially serious problems are investigated as quickly as possible.

Source

The Sun published on August 13, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat or prevent any medical condition. Pregnancy-related symptoms can have many different causes. Anyone who is pregnant and experiencing concerning, severe or worsening symptoms should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional or their maternity service promptly. In an emergency, seek emergency medical care.