It is a very rare tragedy, but one that has raised questions about oversight in caregiver circles and beyond Birth: The death of a 37-year-old woman on November 17 near Fougères (Ille-et-Vilaine), who had decided to give birth at home under the supervision of a midwife, led to a large group of birth doctors, led of gynecologists, obstetricians and anesthesiologists, recall their strong reservations and even their open rejection of this practice.

One thousand births are believed to be home births, out of more than 700,000 registered each year. It prevents “It is impossible for us to tolerate such a practice, emphasizes Joëlle Belaisch-Allart, President of the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians. The risk of maternal and child mortality is significantly higher in non-medical contexts. » “The potential danger of home birth must be denounced, emphasizes Bertrand de Rochambeau, President of the National Union of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of France, And The same applies to anything that can encourage this choice and to anything that undermines the risks taken. »

Doctors on the front lines assure us of these risks: Women “Lack of information”. “We confuse a low-risk pregnancy – in a young woman giving birth with no particular history… – and a low-risk birth. explains Estelle Morau, president of the College of Anesthetists-Reanimators in Obstetrics. However, there is no safe birth : Complications are unpredictable even after a normal pregnancy. »

“The demand is there”

Bleeding, Amniotic fluid embolism, emergency cesarean section: In these situations “Every minute counts,” are used to saying of carers who insist on it “Guarantees” provided from hospital resources. “Delayed care is one of the most important predictors of maternal morbidity and mortality.” drives Dr. Morau, who works at the University Hospital of Nîmes and sits on the National Expert Committee on Maternal Mortality. A facility that assesses approximately 80 maternal deaths per year, “including deaths “before”, “before” and “after” birth, to find out what could have been done differently,” She explains.

As for the events of November 17, a transfer to the hospital for a cesarean section could not save either the mother or the child. The Rennes public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the causes of death. “No guilt [n’est prononcée] in this stadium “, says the prosecutor Philippe Astruc. Since the cause of death could not be determined during the mother’s autopsy, forensic examinations were ordered. An autopsy was also carried out on the infant who died in the womb.

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