A MOTHER from Grays died hours after childbirth because she did not receive enough blood by transfusion at Basildon Hospital.

An inquest has been told Gabriela Pintilie, 36, lost six litres of blood after giving birth to her daughter via a Caesarean section.

The Romanian-born mother bled to death over several hours in February last year after a "breakdown in communication", the inquest heard.

Her baby was born healthy and survived.

Mrs Pintilie had been due to give birth to her second child on 28 February but arrived three days earlier when her waters broke.

After a series of delays, doctors decided to attempt to induce a vaginal delivery, but when that was unsuccessful she was given a Caesarean section.

The baby was born at 21:35 GMT on 26 February but Mrs Pintilie was rushed into surgery after haemorrhaging and died seven hours later.

Dr Malcolm Griffiths, a consultant gynaecologist not affiliated with Basildon University Hospital and brought in as an expert witness, told Essex Coroners Court in Chelmsford that Mrs Pintilie lost 600ml of blood - a usual amount for a C-section - by 22:00, however half an hour later she had lost another two litres.

Blood and blood clotting products were requested and Mrs Pintilie was given two units of O negative universal blood and six units of blood matched to her

None of the clotting products was administered.

Dr Griffiths said: "Appropriate blood products were provided but due to confusion... they weren't administered."

Basildon Hospital's maternity unit has been hit by several deaths and incidents when it was found to be at fault and was rated "requires improvement" after a Care Quality Commission inspection last July.

The inquest continues.