An inquest is currently unfolding into the tragic deaths of Jennifer Cahill, a 34-year-old international export manager, and her newborn daughter, Agnes Lily, who both died in June last year following a home birth. Mrs. Cahill had expressed a strong desire for a completely 'physiological' birth, free from drugs and with minimal medical intervention, a choice she made after reportedly feeling 'unsupported' during her son's hospital birth three years prior.

Despite doctors advising a hospital delivery due to a previous postpartum haemorrhage – a potentially fatal condition involving heavy bleeding – Mrs. Cahill proceeded with her home birth plan. Her husband, Rob, stated at the hearing that the couple believed the warnings were primarily related to their son having contracted a Strep B infection, which led to sepsis, and that the risks associated with the haemorrhage were not fully explained. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has since acknowledged that Mrs. Cahill should have been referred to a senior midwife to thoroughly discuss the potential dangers of a home birth given her medical history.

Mrs. Cahill's birth plan was described as 'intense' by attending midwives. It stipulated no drugs for labour, minimal physical examinations, a birthing room illuminated solely by tea lights, and a request for midwives to speak quietly. Initially, she also declined a Strep B test and refused vaginal examinations, and had specific preferences against a syntometrine injection, or the baby wearing a hat. Midwife Julie Taylor (also referred to as Turner in earlier reporting), who has 15 years of experience including around 80 home births, described the plan as 'very detailed' with some surprising elements, but she had no issues with the atmosphere or low lighting requested.

During labour, Mrs. Cahill struggled intensely, reportedly shouting, "I really want to do this. I am a warrior! Why will my body not let me?" Ms. Taylor observed that Jennifer was 'beating herself up' because the birth was not progressing as she hoped. Anomalies during the birth included a malfunctioning gas and air bottle and tube, which had to be replaced, and flawed record-keeping, with much of the data missing in the final stages and notes scribbled on paper. Crucially, Mrs. Cahill's blood pressure, recorded as high, was not re-checked within the recommended half-hour, which might have indicated distress in mother or baby.

The early hours of June 3 became chaotic. Baby Agnes Lily was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and covered in meconium. She was struggling to breathe, and an oxygen mask failed, prompting Ms. Taylor to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Agnes was rushed to North Manchester General Hospital but tragically died three days later from hypoxia. An investigation later found that Agnes's resuscitation was not within guidelines and national standards.

Jennifer Cahill also suffered a second postpartum haemorrhage, losing significant amounts of blood, estimated at around two litres in total. The syntometrine injection, which could have helped prevent excessive bleeding, was not administered promptly. Ms. Taylor recalled witnessing blood 'squirt' out of Jennifer's body and noted her increasing anxiety about Jennifer's health, urging her to go to the hospital. Jennifer, described as 'tired' and pale, collapsed suddenly. She went into cardiac arrest en route to the hospital and was declared dead shortly after admission due to multi-organ failure. Ms. Taylor later agreed at the inquest that there was a delay in recognising Jennifer’s postpartum haemorrhaging and that earlier recognition and treatment could have saved her. Jennifer's family expressed gratitude to Ms. Taylor for her efforts that morning.

The inquest also heard about growing concerns among midwives regarding the increasing number of requests for out-of-hospital births, especially from high-risk women. Ms. Taylor, while 'very pro home birth' for low-risk mothers, expressed concerns about high-risk women exploring such options. Midwives were reportedly becoming nervous about being on-call for complex cases, leading to a policy of attending in pairs for mutual support. Concerns were also raised about the new electronic record-keeping system, HIVE, which made some staff apprehensive about being on call. Police investigated an online home birth support group, of which Mrs. Cahill was a member, after press coverage of the inquest, but no further action is being taken as the group stated it provides no medical advice.