Kajal Da Silva, a mother who required 300 stitches after giving birth, appeared on Good Morning Britain to share her traumatic experience and call for an overhaul of the maternity care system. Her appearance followed the Government's announcement of the UK's first ever maternity and neonatal commissioner, a move prompted by a review that found repeated failures and avoidable harm to women, babies, and families.
Lifelong Pain and Psychological Impact
Six years after her son's birth, Da Silva continues to suffer physical and psychological effects. She told hosts Kate Garraway and Ed Balls: "It ruins your whole life for the rest of your life. You live with lifelong pain, you can't stand for long, you can't sit for long, you can't walk for long, you've got endless medical appointments and you're gas lit by professionals." She added that family and friends often do not understand, leading to lost relationships.
Traumatic Birth Details
Da Silva described how her labour stalled and her baby swallowed meconium, a serious condition. Despite her requests for checks, staff delayed due to Covid-19 staffing shortages. When finally checked, she was fully dilated, but her son's heart rate was dangerously high. She was given 20 minutes to push. An extended episiotomy was performed, and her son was born not breathing.
She underwent a McRoberts procedure to free her son's stuck shoulder. "Someone senior puts their whole arm inside me, does a manoeuvre on his shoulder, twists his arm, and tosses him out to save his life," she recalled. Her son was born with Erb's palsy, leaving his left arm paralysed, and required physiotherapy.
Demand for Systemic Change
Da Silva is calling for big changes to the maternity neonatal system, not just incremental improvements. She described feeling severely depressed in the early days and criticised NHS professionals for underestimating the impact on families. Good Morning Britain airs on ITV from 6am.
