A 34-year-old mother and her newborn daughter lost their lives after a home birth in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, in June 2024.
Jennifer Cahill passed away the day after childbirth, while her daughter Agnes, survived for just four days before also tragically passing away, per the Manchester Evening News.
The inquest into their deaths, which is being held at Rochdale Coroners' Court, has provided a detailed account of the events leading to the family’s heartbreaking loss.
Details of the home birth and emergency response
The court also heard from emergency responders who attended the scene. Paramedic Sean Scroop, the first to arrive, described the scene in the Cahill home as unlike any other he had encountered in his career.
When he arrived, Jennifer appeared to be in stable condition, but baby Agnes, who was still attached to the umbilical cord, was struggling to breathe. With the assistance of a midwife, they attempted to resuscitate Agnes, and Scroop noted that once he took over, the baby began to show signs of recovery.
Scroop’s team rushed Agnes to the hospital, and Jennifer’s husband, Robert, accompanied them. However, as the paramedics were on their way to the hospital, Jennifer’s condition worsened. Paramedic Adrian George, who also attended, explained that Jennifer’s health deteriorated rapidly after the initial assessment.
Despite showing no external bleeding at first, Jennifer became agitated, lost strength in her legs, and eventually lost consciousness. Emergency staff later discovered that she had lost around two liters of blood during the delivery of the placenta.
Cause of death revealed at inquest hearing
During the inquest, pathologist Dr. Lisa Barker provided an update on Jennifer’s cause of death. She explained that Jennifer died from multi-organ failure, which resulted from cardiac arrest brought on by postpartum hemorrhage. Dr. Barker’s post-mortem examination found fluid in Jennifer’s chest, lungs, and kidneys, consistent with the severe organ failure.
Additionally, a three-centimeter tear was discovered in her vaginal area, which could have contributed to the complications. The medical evidence painted a clear picture of how Jennifer’s body could not cope with the significant blood loss following childbirth.
Investigation into home birth preparations
The court also heard about Jennifer’s involvement in an online home birth support group. Detective Inspector Julie Adams of Greater Manchester Police reported that Jennifer had posted questions in a Facebook group called Home Birth Support Group UK in December 2023, seeking advice on her pregnancy. Though the group was described as a non-medical resource, it provided an important context for Jennifer’s birth planning. However, the group’s administrators stated they did not recall any prior communication with Jennifer.
The tragic nature of this case has led to questions regarding the safety and risks associated with home births, especially when complications arise. The inquest continues, with further hearings scheduled for next week. As investigators piece together the circumstances of this heartbreaking event, the community remains in shock over the loss of Jennifer and Agnes.