Coroner’s court to probe death of child born in birthing pool

THE death of a baby boy shortly after a water birth is to be investigated by the Dublin City Coroner’s Court tomorrow.

It is believed to be the first inquest in the history of the State to examine the circumstances of the death of a child born in a birthing pool.

The infant, Harry Eccles, died shortly after being born in a birthing pool at Cavan General Hospital in February 2006.

It is understood that complications arose with the baby after he was delivered by a midwife. He was transferred to a hospital in Dublin but died a short time later.

An internal investigation ordered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) into the cause of baby Harry’s death found there was no cause for concern with the care during pregnancy, labour and birth.

Nevertheless, the HSE in the north-east subsequently suspended the use of the birthing pool facilities for actual births at both Cavan General Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes’ Hospital in Drogheda.

An external review of the use of birthing pools by a consultant obstetrician and a midwife, which was also commissioned by the HSE, made a total of 19 recommendations.

The report, which noted that no national standards for water births exists in the Republic, also called for extra support for midwives.

However, it stressed that existing protocols among hospital staff at Cavan and Drogheda for water births were of a high standard.

The review by independent British consultants recommended the resumption of water births at both centres.

It is understood the HSE is awaiting the outcome of tomorrow’s inquest before it will reintroduce the service.

The two centres are believed to be among the first hospitals in the country to offer such a service to pregnant women.