She dreamed of a physiological birth. In England, in June 2024, Jennifer Cahill, 34, chose to give birth at home for the birth of her second child. But by ignoring her background, she unknowingly put herself in danger. Complications caused his death, then that of the barely born child.
Traumatized by a complicated birth
Three years earlier, the young woman had given birth to a little boy in a hospital in Manchester. But the birth had not been this long-awaited encounter. The young woman, victim of postpartum hemorrhage, had received a transfusion. Then his son was affected by septicemia. It took several weeks to recover.
So, for her second pregnancy, Jennifer wants a gentler, more intimate birth. She is researching giving birth at home. And moves towards a group “Home Birth Support UKwhich specifies on its Facebook page: “We are not an ordinary group, we challenge medical norms. Please respect that.” His choice is made, it will be a physiological birth, far from the hospital.
New fatal complications for mother and baby
On the big day, supported by two midwives, Jennifer begins this natural labor that she hopes for so much. But after 8 hours, nothing is going as planned. Little Agnes Lily is born, the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. While one of the midwives tries to revive her, the mother’s health deteriorates. She suffered a new hemorrhage, followed by cardiac arrest and multiple organ failure. Emergency transport, Jennifer Cahill died the next morning in hospital. Three days later, it was her little daughter, still on a respirator, who died. An investigation has been opened to try to shed light on this tragedy.
We then learned that a doctor had then developed a treatment and delivery plan with her, which included the recommendation “that she had to give birth in the hospital”to receive an infusion of medications intended to prevent hemorrhage during delivery of the placenta.
In France, home birth is much more regulated than fantasized
Did Jennifer act despite the advice given? And is home birth the unserious idea we might think? Contacted on the subject, Jean-Henri Daniel midwife and author of the photo book The Originson home births, wants to bring common sense back into the debate.
In France, home births are not illegal and represent a current desire among women (37% of them), but they are only possible if specific safety criteria are met.
“This only concerns physiological pregnancies, without any complications or history. A previous cesarean section, hypertension, diabetes, etc. are, for example, exclusion criteria”. The role of the midwife is therefore to listen to the mother… while doing work of prevention and detection of any new pathology, throughout the pregnancy.
“Knowing that in France insurance in our profession is very complicated, we have a duty to remain drastic on the criteria to avoid any risk, for the couple and the child, but also for us,”
Home birth: responsible approaches
How then should we proceed when we want a more intimate birth? Jean-Daniel Henry advises looking for a midwife via testimonials and the APAAD (Professional Association for Accompanied Home Birth) to find the professional you trust. During a first appointment, it is defined whether the project is feasible or not based on the patient’s file. “Afterwards, we start with a classic follow-up, that is to say one consultation per month, preparation for birth, the fourth month interview…”
Please note: each woman also has the obligation to register in a maternity hospital less than 30 minutes away, to ensure follow-up if necessary. “In practice, home birth can be called into question until the baby is there, in the event of a complication or doubt. reminds the midwife.
Home birth is a contract of trust made with the parents, starting with the birth plan. But there is no assurance that this will happen. “The desire for a cocoon, to give birth, is normal, but everyone’s health comes first.”
concludes the midwife.
The Origins, a photo book about giving birth at home
During his support, Jean-Daniel Henry got into the habit of photographing and collecting the testimonies of women giving birth in their homes. “To highlight the choices of these women and these professionals and to draw attention to the fact that there is when there is a desire, but big problems that exercise in good conditions.
The result is strong, intimate images. Next step, an exhibition at the National Assembly and a parliamentary debate.