Baby girl’s death in Hampshire raises concerns over role of doulas in home births

Coroner says non-medical support assistant affected midwifery provision and delayed mother’s transfer to Portsmouth hospitalA coroner has warned that more babies could die without greater clarity and guidance over the role of home birthing assistants after the death of a baby girl raised concerns about a doula delaying access to hospital treatment.Matilda Pomfret-Thomas died in November 2023 of a brain injury, 15 days after a difficult home labour when her mother was not immediately transferred to hospital despite signs of fetal distress, an inquest concluded last month. Continue reading...