Young mother, 17, died after suffering cardiac arrest two hours after giving birth

An inquest is due to begin this week into the death of a young mum who suffered a cardiac arrest just hours after giving birth.

Teegan Barnard, 17, was starved of oxygen and suffered a severe brain injury following the birth of her healthy baby boy, Parker, at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex, on 9 September 2019.

Ms Barnard was discharged from hospital to spend her final days at the family home in Havant, Hampshire, and died on 7 October 2019.

The inquest is now due to take place examining the circumstances as to why the teenager, a pizza chef, died.

Rebecca Brown, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Ms Barnard’s parents, Abbie Hallawell and Trevor Barnard, said: “This is a truly tragic case which saw what should have been a time of celebration for the family turn to absolute despair.

“Understandably Abbie, Trevor and the rest of the family remain devastated by Teegan’s death at such a young age and in such sudden circumstances.

"The last two years and trying to start to come to terms with Teegan’s death, all while having a number of concerns about what happened, has been incredibly difficult.

“While nothing can make up for Teegan’s death, we’re determined to support the family through the inquest and help establish answers the family deserve.”

Ms Hallawell and Mr Barnard are now bringing up baby Parker alongside his dad, Leon Forster.

Ms Hallawell said: “Teegan and the rest of the family were delighted when she fell pregnant. She was really looking forward to becoming a parent and she would have been an absolutely fantastic mum.

"It still doesn’t really seem real that what should have been the best day in Teegan’s life ended tragically and left all of our family changed forever.

“It’s been more than two years since Teegan died but time has stood still for all our family. I know the inquest and listening to the evidence around Teegan’s death is going to be incredibly upsetting but it’s something I’ve got to do not only for Teegan, but also for Parker.

“Teegan would have been so proud of Parker and how he’s such a happy baby who’s developing every day.

"While he’ll grow up without his mum in his life he will always be told how much Teegan loved him and how she’ll always be a part of our family.”

An inquest into Ms Barnard’s death is due to start at West Sussex Coroner’s Court on 7 January and is expected to last four days.