Following Thea’s death, first-time parents Meg and James Flaskett told the ABC they expressed concerns towards the end of the pregnancy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They said the fundal height \u2014 the distance between the uterus and pubic bone \u2014 had stopped growing around 33 weeks into the pregnancy, but they were told everything was normal<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meg and James Flaskett shared their story with the ABC in the months after their daughters death. (Supplied)<\/p>\n They also said they believe an empty oxygen tank and malfunctioning equipment contributed to their daughter’s death.<\/p>\n Determining cause of death<\/p>\n The inquest will look to determine six issues, including the specific cause of Thea’s death.<\/p>\n Deputy State Coroner Stephanie Gallagher will consider whether a congenital heart defect, maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) \u2014 poor blood flow to the placenta \u2014 the use of vacuum induced delivery, or some other cause was ultimately responsible for her death.<\/p>\n Baby Thea’s death led to a full clinical review at Redcliffe Hospital, north of Brisbane. (ABC News: Sissy Reyes)<\/p>\n If a heart defect or MVM were found to be the direct cause, the coroner will seek to answer whether there had been clinical indicators that should have been detected by 20 or 36-week scans throughout the pregnancy.<\/p>\n The inquest will seek to determine what would have happened if issues were detected in scans, and whether Thea’s death would have been avoided as a result.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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