Health experts are urging clearer communication about the potentially fatal risks of home births following a tragic case in the UK where a mother and baby died after a home delivery.
Jennifer Cahill, 34, and her newborn daughter, Agnes Lily, died in June 2024 after complications during a home birth in Prestwich, England. An inquest found that both deaths were preventable and linked to “serious failures” in medical care and communication.
Experts say that while home births can be safe for women with low-risk pregnancies, they pose significant risks for those with complex medical histories. Cahill’s pregnancy was classified as high-risk due to a previous postpartum haemorrhage, yet she was not adequately warned of the dangers. Her husband told the court that risks were downplayed, with phrases like “out of guidance” used instead of “against medical advice.”
Kim Thomas, chief executive of the Birth Trauma Association, said the case highlights how women who experience traumatic hospital births may choose home delivery out of fear. “Unfortunately, for women like Jennifer, who had complications in a previous birth, home births can be particularly risky,” she said.
The inquest also revealed serious procedural lapses. Midwives attending the home birth were exhausted after long shifts, lacked full knowledge of the birth plan, and failed to record vital signs properly.
Dr Shuby Puthussery, a maternal health expert at the University of Bedfordshire, emphasized that only highly trained and confident midwives should attend home births. “Open and transparent discussions are crucial,” she said. “Women must understand the potential for worse outcomes if emergencies arise and the time needed to transfer to hospital care.”
Experts agree that while promoting women’s choice is vital, safety and experience must come first. Reckless promotion of home births without clear risk communication, they warn, can lead to avoidable tragedies.
