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Inquest Hears Postpartum Haemorrhage Caused Jennifer Cahill’s Death After Home Birth

Testimony focused on lapses in emergency care alongside failures in record‑keeping during the high‑risk home delivery.

Overview

  • A pathologist told Rochdale Coroner’s Court the mother died from multi‑organ failure following cardiac arrest caused by postpartum haemorrhage.
  • Paramedics and midwives described the baby being born unresponsive with the cord around her neck and meconium present, with faulty or ill‑fitting resuscitation equipment reported.
  • Evidence detailed delayed recognition of heavy bleeding, estimated blood loss of about two litres and a cardiac arrest in the ambulance before hospital transfer.
  • Records for key observations were entered hours later from recollection, and staff cited difficulties using the newly introduced HIVE electronic maternity system.
  • Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust accepted a missed referral for senior midwife review after the mother chose a home birth, and police documented her post in a private home‑birth Facebook group.