Lynn Nganje
Negligence and Traumatic Birth Experience at Somerset Hospital

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally lodge a serious complaint regarding the care I received at Somerset Hospital during and after the birth of my child on 01 November 2025.
On the above date, I gave birth to a 4.2 kg baby. Following the delivery, my placenta failed to deliver and remained retained inside my body. Despite this being a known obstetric emergency, the situation was poorly managed, resulting in extreme physical pain, emotional trauma, and ongoing psychological distress.
Details of the Incident
After delivery, nurses attempted on multiple occasions to expel the placenta by pressing aggressively on my abdomen. These attempts were unsuccessful. A doctor then advised that he would need to manually remove the placenta. Without requesting my informed consent or asking me to sign any form of approval, the doctor inserted his hand and arm inside my body as the placenta was reportedly very deep and difficult to remove.
The doctor attempted three separate times to manually remove the placenta. Each attempt was excruciatingly painful, far beyond anything I have ever experienced. I have given birth four times, and none of my previous deliveries were as painful or traumatic as the removal of the placenta during this birth.
During these attempts:

I was not adequately medicated or sedated.
Nurses administered morphine, but did not allow time for it to take effect before proceeding.
I was also given laughing gas, which provided no relief.
No counselling, reassurance, or trauma‑informed care was provided.

On the third attempt, the doctor ruptured the placenta, causing me to bleed heavily. It was only after this rupture that the doctor decided to take me to theatre to surgically remove the remaining placenta tissue.
At no point prior to these procedures was I properly informed of the risks, alternatives, or given the opportunity to provide informed consent.
Post-Operative Care and Lack of Support
After the surgery, I was discharged the following day. I was:

Not offered any psychological counselling
Not assessed for birth trauma
Not given appropriate post‑trauma support

I am the sole provider for my children, and throughout this ordeal, I was painfully aware that I was bleeding out. Had I lost my life, my children would have been left without support. This thought continues to haunt me.
It is also important to note that my husband was the one who realized that my placenta had not yet been delivered, after noticing that my stomach remained abnormally swollen. Only after he raised this concern did the nurses acknowledge that the placenta was still inside me.
Ongoing Impact
Since this incident, I have returned to work, but I continue to suffer from severe trauma, including:

Persistent anxiety
Inability to sleep
Replaying the events repeatedly in my mind
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of sexual intimacy with my husband
Emotional distress that affects my daily life and work performance

Complaint and Intended Action
I believe that the care I received demonstrates:

Medical negligence
Lack of informed consent
Unprofessional conduct
Inadequate pain management
Failure to provide trauma‑informed postnatal care

Due to the seriousness of this matter and its lasting impact on my life and wellbeing, I am considering legal action against Somerset Hospital for negligence and unprofessional conduct.
I formally request:

A full investigation into the actions of all staff involved
A written response explaining why informed consent was not obtained on paper before the doctor manually inserted his hand and arm inside of me.
An explanation for the lack of adequate pain management
Details of steps that will be taken to prevent similar incidents
Access to my full medical records relating to this delivery
Compensation for paid and suffering.

I trust this complaint will be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
Yours sincerely

Company: Lynn Nganje
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
City: Cape town
Postal Code: 7764
Address: 220 Bonteheuwel Avenue Bonteheuwel
Phone: 0787092369
Site: cape town

  <     >