MEDICS were quizzed over the death of a baby as an inquest began this morning.

Noah Finn died in Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital in February 2016 at just six weeks old.

An inquest at Teesside Coroner's Court heard that the much-loved baby had died from a spinal injury following a forceps delivery.

His mother, Middlesbrough mental health nurse Sarah Reed, went into labour in the early hours of January 6 2016 after a normal, "low risk" pregnancy.

After several hours of contractions, midwives noted that her baby was facing the wrong way.

Ms Reed was taken to theatre where medics attempted to rotate Noah manually before using Keilland’s forceps to enable his birth.

The little boy was born shortly afterwards but was unable to breathe for himself and had to be resuscitated.

It was later found that the baby had sustained an injury to his spine and he died weeks later, having never left the hospital he was born in.

An inquest into his death saw Teesside’s senior coroner Clare Bailey quiz those involved in Noah’s care at the time of his birth.

The hearing, attended by Noah’s parents Ms Reed and Martyn Finn, saw doctors and midwives defend the care and treatment Ms Reed had received throughout her lengthy labour.

Trainee obstetric consultant Dr Shehiy Bodnar – who carried out the forceps delivery supervised by consultant Dr Ratna Meneni – insisted that his use of the instrument had been in accordance with guidelines.

Dr Bodnar, who had carried out 15 forceps deliveries prior to Noah’s, denied using excessive force and said he had felt no resistance while performing the procedure.

Giving evidence, he said: “Rotation with Keilland’s forceps is quite successful and usually goes without complications and helps to achieve a vaginal delivery so it was deemed the most appropriate instrument to use.”

When asked if he had used excessive force during the delivery, the doctor – who had five years’ experience at the time – said he was quite sure from his own perception and that of others that he had not.

He said he would have abandoned the procedure had he felt any resistance, adding: “I felt confident to be able to undertake the procedure.

“In my opinion it appeared to be a straight forward delivery and there was nothing to indicate this delivery had any complications.”

Dr Meneni, who had carried out the prior manual rotation procedure also said she had acted according to procedure and said the techniques used had been appropriate for the situation.

However, two neurologists consulted on Noah’s injury said they believed it had been caused by the rotation of the baby’s head during the final stages of delivery and that it had significantly reduced his life expectancy.

A statement from Noah’s parents thanked the staff at James Cook University Hospital for supporting their family throughout their ordeal.

Since their son’s death and with the support of family and friends, they have raised more than £7,000 for the hospital’s neonatal ward.

The inquest continues.