In a heart-wrenching tragedy, an inquest at Rochdale Coroner’s Court is reviewing the events surrounding the deaths of Jennifer Cahill and her baby, Agnes, during a home birth in Prestwich, Greater Manchester. The midwife present at the birthing, Andrea Walmsley, has revealed that, in the chaos, she resorted to scribbling vital medical notes on an incontinence pad after key electronic systems and procedures fell short.
Jennifer, 34, passed away the day after giving birth, while her daughter Agnes, born unresponsive, succumbed to hypoxia four days later. During the inquest, Walmsley admitted she was gripped with panic when Agnes was born with the umbilical cord around her neck and meconium present. She confessed the team did not accurately document the mother’s blood pressure earlier in labour, adding to the turmoil. Essential measurements were not logged due to overwhelming circumstances and unfamiliarity with a newly introduced digital record-keeping system from the hospital’s trust.
At the hearing, the midwife described the scene as nothing short of ‘absolute chaos’, becoming emotional as she recounted inaccurate heart rate records hastily jotted down. Issues with equipment further complicated resuscitation efforts; notably, resuscitation masks didn’t fit, rendering them nearly useless. Jennifer’s battle with a severe postpartum haemorrhage – her first-time experience with such a critical complication during a home birth – was a pivotal moment before the medical team prepared her transfer to the hospital. Her husband, Rob Cahill, made desperate emergency calls as the situation spiralled.
As the inquest continues, it delves into these devastating occurrences that question the preparedness and protocols for home births, aiming to shine a light on preventable tragedies and improve outcomes in the future. Our hearts go out to the Cahill family during this incredibly difficult time.