What is the coroner's main concern regarding doulas?

The coroner is concerned that the undefined role of doulas may negatively impact midwifery services and delay crucial hospital transfers, potentially leading to adverse outcomes.

How did the doula influence the birth of Matilda Pomfret-Thomas?

The doula was perceived as a buffer by midwives and supported the parents' birth plan, which may have contributed to the delay in transferring the mother to the hospital despite signs of fetal distress.

Are doulas regulated in the UK?

No, doulas are not a regulated profession in the UK, and there is a lack of clear guidance on their interaction with hospital maternity services.

Home / Health / Coroner Warns Over Doula Impact on Maternity Care

Coroner Warns Over Doula Impact on Maternity Care

21 Jan

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Summary

A baby died from a brain injury following a home birth delay.
A doula's role possibly hindered timely hospital transfer.
Coroner urges guidance on doula roles to prevent future deaths.

Coroner Warns Over Doula Impact on Maternity Care

A coroner has issued a stark warning regarding the role of non-medical birth assistants, known as doulas, following the tragic death of an infant. The 15-day-old baby, Matilda Pomfret-Thomas, died in November 2023 from a brain injury after a complex home labor. An inquest revealed that signs of fetal distress were present, yet the mother was not immediately transferred to Portsmouth's Queen Alexandra hospital.

Hampshire's assistant coroner, Henry Charles, found that a doula's actions may have hindered effective midwifery care, acting as a 'buffer' and supporting a birth plan that delayed a crucial hospital transfer. The coroner has urged the Department of Health and the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence to establish clearer guidance for doulas and healthcare professionals to prevent future tragedies.

Further investigations highlighted that doulas are not a regulated profession in the UK. Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations found doulas working outside their defined roles in 12 out of 29 maternity investigations. In some cases, doulas advised mothers to stay home against urgent medical advice, directly contributing to poor outcomes for infants.