Why did Pippa, a newborn, die after a home birth?

Pippa died at 12 days old from a severe brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen during a botched home birth, with the coroner ruling her death avoidable due to delays in delivery.

What failings led to Pippa's death during the home birth?

Inexperienced midwives, distracted by staffing and IT issues, failed to adequately monitor Pippa's heart rate, delaying an ambulance call and her transfer to hospital.

What action is being taken following Pippa's death and similar tragedies?

The coroner is warning the Health Secretary about the lack of national guidance for home births, and the NHS Trust has overhauled its home birth service.

Home / Health / Baby Death: NHS Home Birth Service Accused of 'Russian Roulette'

Baby Death: NHS Home Birth Service Accused of 'Russian Roulette'

27 Jan

•

Summary

Newborn died from severe brain injury due to oxygen deprivation during a home birth.
Inexperienced midwives, distracted by staffing and IT issues, failed to monitor the baby's heart rate.
Coroner warned of risks due to lack of national guidance on home births after a similar tragedy.

Baby Death: NHS Home Birth Service Accused of 'Russian Roulette'

A tragic home birth has resulted in the death of a 12-day-old baby girl, Pippa, due to a severe brain injury sustained from oxygen deprivation. Her parents have accused the NHS of negligence, stating her death was preventable. Inquest testimony revealed that staffing shortages on a bank holiday weekend meant inexperienced midwives attended the birth.

These midwives were reportedly distracted by IT issues and staff pressures, which led to inadequate monitoring of Pippa's heart rate. This delay meant an ambulance was not called promptly. By the time Pippa was delivered at Warrington Hospital, it was too late to save her.

The senior coroner for Cheshire stated she would write to the Health Secretary, highlighting the critical lack of national guidance for home births. This follows a similar avoidable death of a mother and baby just three months earlier in Greater Manchester.