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What's the harm in home childbirth?
There is renewed interest in natural childbirth at home. But if proper precautions are not made for known complications, tragedy can result. Read more about home childbirth
Here are 14 people who were harmed by someone not thinking critically.
Jacqueline K. Beagley & her babyAge: 25 / 0 |
Died during childbirth |
| She was in labor for four days. She died of a massive infection after rupture of the fetal membrane. Authorities said she would have survived if she had delivered in a hospital. Read more & more | |
Ishmael Berger BelebbasOlathe, Colorado |
Died at birth (stuck in birth canal) |
| Complications during birth can be dealt with, provided medical practitioners are present. Unfortunately Ishmael's parents belonged to the Church of the First Born, which believes in prayer instead of medicine. Read more | |
Michael David BoehmerAge: 4 days |
Died |
| Michael suffered a hemorrhage, and lost at least a quarter of his blood. His parents put cotton in his nose and prayed for him. The medical examiner later said he had a 90% survival chance if he had just been given a Vitamin K shot. Read more & more | |
Alice Leach & her babyAge: 24 |
Died (bled to death during childbirth) |
| She belonged to a faith healing church. She bled to death after childbirth at her home. One person present was a registered nurse and lost her license over the incident. "Those people thought they could pray her back to life," said her mother. Read more | |
Lucas LongAge: 0 |
Died during breech birth |
| During childbirth, his mother was attended by unlicensed midwives. The baby had breathing problems shortly after birth, and the church elders were called to pray. "We believe in divine healing" said the grandmother. Read more & more | |
Infant McCourtAge: 0 |
Died (prolonged delivery) |
| According to the coroner, the baby died due to lack of oxygen because of prolonged delivery. The county pathologist said the baby most likely would have lived if the mother had had prenatal care and medical attendance at delivery. Read more | |
infant RuzickaAge: 0 |
Died |
| The mother was in labor for four days and had convulsions. The baby was stillborn. Read more | |
baby boy & baby girl StillAge: 0 |
Died |
| Deborah Still gave birth to twins without aid of a doctor or midwife. They were six weeks premature, but this is 95% survivable in a hospital. The girl died within 8 hours and the boy died the next day. Read more | |
Jaspar TomlinsonAge: 0 |
Brain injury during childbirth |
| Jaspar's father is one of England's leading naturopaths. He was warned by a GP that his wife's pregnancy could end in stillbirth. At home, the "homeopathy assisted" birth went horribly wrong. He suffered brain damage and now has cerebral palsy. Read more & more | |