Baby girl’s death in Hampshire raises concerns over role of doulas in home births

Coroner says non-medical support assistant affected midwifery provision and delayed mother's transfer to Portsmouth hospital

A coroner has warned that more babies could die without greater clarity and guidance over the role of home birthing assistants after the death of a baby girl raised concerns about a doula delaying access to hospital treatment.

Matilda Pomfret-Thomas died in November 2023 of a brain injury, 15 days after a difficult home labour when her mother was not immediately transferred to hospital despite signs of fetal distress, an inquest concluded last month.