Coroner Warns More Women May Die Without Home Birth Guidance

In a concerning development, a coroner has issued a stark warning that more women could lose their lives unless urgent action is taken to establish national guidance on home births. This warning comes in the wake of a tragic incident that occurred just last month, on June 3, 2024.

Jennifer Cahill, a 34-year-old woman, tragically passed away at North Manchester General Hospital shortly after giving birth to her second child, Agnes Lily, at her home in Prestwich. Tragically, Agnes Lily also succumbed to her injuries a few days later at the same hospital.

An inquest into the deaths has found that they were contributed to by neglect, with "gross failings" identified in the antenatal care provided and the actions of the midwives involved. Joanne Kearsley, the senior coroner for Manchester North, has stated that there is currently no national guidance in place regarding home births or the staffing, training, and experience required for midwives providing this type of care.

The coroner's warning underscores the urgent need for comprehensive national guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers and their newborns during home births. With the tragic loss of Jennifer Cahill and her daughter Agnes Lily, the coroner's message serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of the lack of such guidance, and the imperative for immediate action to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.