Hospital awaits inquest before using pool for births

MANAGEMENT at the new €50 million Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) will await the outcome of an inquest in Dublin before deciding if they will allow women to give birth in their planned birthing pool.

An inquest is due to be held following the death of a baby born in a birthing pool at Cavan General Hospital’s Midwifery-Led Unit in late February. The baby was transferred to Dublin following complications but did not survive.

The death led to the suspension of the use of the pool for births but labouring women can still use it for pain relief. Management in the Health Service Executive, North Eastern Area have said the suspension was a “precautionary measure”.