Giving birth can leave new mothers physically and emotionally exhausted. While some discomfort during recovery is expected, persistent pain, bleeding and signs that something isn't right should never be dismissed.

Yet for some women, concerns raised repeatedly in the weeks after childbirth are not listened to. In rare but devastating cases, the cause is an entirely preventable medical error.

At Switalskis, our specialist medical negligence solicitors support families affected by serious failures in maternity care. We are currently representing former NHS employee Karolina Saulys, who was left living with severe pain after a swab was not removed following treatment for a birth injury.

What are retained swabs?

When surgical equipment or materials are accidentally left inside a patient during an operation or procedure, they are known as retained foreign objects.

These incidents are classified by the NHS as never events – serious and largely preventable patient safety incidents that should not occur if the correct safety procedures are followed.

Despite this classification, they continue to happen.

Recent NHS England figures reported 121 cases involving retained foreign objects between April 2025 and March 2026. The items included swabs, guide wires, surgical instruments and other equipment used during treatment.

"I couldn't care for my daughter"

In October 2024, Karolina gave birth to her first child and suffered a severe tear during delivery, requiring emergency treatment.

However, rather than improving in the weeks afterwards, her pain became progressively worse.

She said:

"They say that pain is normal, but it was getting worse and worse. I couldn't care for my daughter. I couldn't even take her for a walk.

"My husband had to go back to work, so my dad had to come over from abroad and stay with us."

Seven weeks after giving birth, doctors discovered that a large swab had been left inside her during the procedure.

Karolina, who previously worked within the NHS herself, describes feeling overwhelmed by the emotional impact of what happened.

"I feel so betrayed and disappointed. I missed a lot during those early months of my daughter's life, because when you're in that much pain, you are frustrated and angry. The only relief would come when I was lying down."

She is now pursuing a medical negligence claim with the support of Luke Simpson , solicitor in Switalskis medical negligence department.

When postpartum symptoms shouldn't be ignored

Recovering from childbirth looks different for every woman. However, ongoing or worsening symptoms should always be investigated.

Potential signs that require further assessment can include:

• Severe or worsening pain
• Persistent bleeding
• Offensive or unusual discharge
• A strong unpleasant smell
• Recurrent infections
• Difficulty sitting, walking or caring for your baby
• Symptoms that do not improve despite treatment

Many women describe feeling that their concerns were dismissed or attributed to normal postnatal recovery. Trusting your instincts and seeking further advice if something doesn't feel right is important.

The impact of retained swabs

Retained swabs can cause significant physical and psychological harm.

Complications may include:

• Infection and abscess formation
• Delayed wound healing
• Additional surgery
• Long-term pain and scarring
• Reduced mobility
• Emotional trauma and anxiety
• Difficulties bonding with and caring for a newborn child

For some families, the experience can affect future pregnancies and births, leaving lasting fears about accessing maternity services again.

Supporting families affected by maternity negligence

At Switalskis, our specialist medical negligence solicitors have extensive experience supporting families affected by failures in maternity care, including delayed diagnoses, birth injuries and avoidable complications following childbirth.

Luke Simpson commented: “We understand that pursuing answers after a traumatic experience is not only about compensation. Many families want to understand what happened, ensure lessons are learned and prevent the same mistakes happening to others.”

If you believe your concerns following childbirth were not taken seriously, or you have suffered harm because of mistakes made during your maternity care, our team can help you understand your options and access the support you need.

Contact our specialist maternity negligence team

Being told that pain is "normal" when something is seriously wrong can leave families feeling isolated and unheard.

No parent should spend the early weeks of their child's life fighting to be believed.

If you have been affected by a retained swab after childbirth or another form of maternity negligence, contact Switalskis' specialist medical negligence solicitors for confidential advice about your situation.