A mother has criticised the NHS after her newborn daughter died following an 'unsafe' home birth encouraged by midwives, an inquest has found. Poppy Hope Lomas was seven days old when she died at University College Hospital in London on 26 October 2022.
The inquest at Barnet Coroner's Court concluded that Poppy likely died from a lack of oxygen reaching her brain in the 30 minutes before birth. Senior Coroner Andrew Walker said the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust had agreed to support an 'unsafe home delivery that was against medical advice' and failed to address 'an accumulation of risk factors'.
Gemma Lomas, Poppy's mother, told the inquest that midwives had actively encouraged her to have a vaginal birth at home, despite risks from a previous caesarean section in 2018. Guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists states that vaginal births after caesarean should take place in a suitably staffed delivery suite with resources for immediate caesarean delivery.
Speaking outside court, Lomas said: 'Nothing will ever bring her back, but hearing the truth today acknowledged means everything to us. We trusted the professionals who were guiding us.' She added that she hoped lessons would be learned.
The coroner raised concerns about the use of the phrase 'out of guidance' rather than 'against medical advice'. He recommended that multi-disciplinary meetings involving parents should be held when they choose an unsafe home birth, and that they should sign a consent form clearly explaining the risks.
A spokesperson for the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust offered 'heartfelt condolences' and said measures had been introduced to improve care, including better communication and ensuring midwives are aware of guidance on transferring mothers to hospital.
