A tragic incident unfolded as a young beautician, Zoe Tighe, passed away due to sepsis along with her unborn baby, unknowingly carrying the pregnancy for 14 weeks despite seeking medical help four times. Initially, visiting the local A&E with complaints of abdominal pain, Tighe remained unaware of her pregnancy as medical professionals failed to conduct a pregnancy test, assuming a recurring urinary tract infection (UTI) instead.

After multiple hospital visits, Tighe was diagnosed with sepsis during her final hospital trip, revealing her 14-week pregnancy and the unfortunate demise of the unborn baby. The inquest disclosed that the fetus succumbed to sepsis, while Tighe experienced septic shock due to a UTI with complications related to ketamine misuse.

The inquest further unveiled Tighe’s struggles with drug misuse from a young age, leading to severe health issues including bladder problems and chronic pain. Despite attempts at rehabilitation, Tighe’s health deteriorated, culminating in her emergency hospitalizations and eventual demise after suffering multiple cardiac arrests.

Although missed opportunities to detect Tighe’s pregnancy were acknowledged, the coroner ruled that these oversights did not directly contribute to her death. Instead, Tighe’s passing was attributed to septic shock resulting from a UTI linked to ketamine misuse. The inquest highlighted the importance of timely pregnancy awareness for better medical intervention and noted improvements in testing protocols for women of childbearing age.

Expressing condolences to Tighe’s family, the coroner emphasized the need for increased awareness and vigilance in healthcare practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future.