Midwife Makes Critical Ambulance Admission at Inquest into Baby's Death
A midwife has admitted during an inquest that an ambulance should have been summoned approximately 90 minutes before the delivery of a baby who tragically died just seven days after birth. The hearing is examining the circumstances surrounding the death of Poppy Hope Lomas, who passed away on 26 October 2022 following complications from what has been described as a "high-risk" home birth.
Details of the Tragic Case
Midwife Sasha Field stated under oath that medical intervention was required much earlier than it occurred. She testified that when the baby's heart rate showed signs of slowing during labour, an ambulance should have been called immediately to transfer the mother to a hospital setting. This critical delay has become a focal point of the investigation into whether proper protocols were followed.
Poppy's mother, Gemma Lomas, has claimed that she was encouraged to pursue a home vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) despite having undergone a previous C-section. She further alleges that she was not fully informed of the substantial risks associated with this type of delivery outside of a hospital environment.
Coroner's Concerns and Professional Guidance
Senior Coroner Andrew Walker expressed serious concerns during the proceedings. He suggested that Ms Lomas should never have been placed in a position where she was attempting a high-risk birth at home without immediate access to hospital-grade equipment and specialist medical staff.
This case highlights existing professional guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which clearly states that VBACs should only take place in a suitably staffed and fully equipped delivery suite within a hospital. The guidance emphasises the importance of having emergency resources readily available should complications arise during delivery.
Broader Implications for Home Birth Safety
The inquest continues to examine whether all appropriate safety measures were in place and whether the mother received comprehensive risk assessments before proceeding with the home birth plan. This tragic incident raises significant questions about patient consent, risk communication in maternity care, and the protocols surrounding high-risk home deliveries across the healthcare system.
As the investigation unfolds, it is expected to contribute to ongoing discussions about how to balance maternal choice with clinical safety, particularly in cases involving previous caesarean sections and other complicating factors that elevate delivery risks.
