A mother tragically lost her newborn baby just a week after birth in a heartbreaking incident at University College Hospital in central London. The baby, named Poppy Hope Lomas, passed away due to complications arising during a planned home delivery conducted by the Edgware Midwives team at Barnett Hospital. This event unfolded despite the mother, Gemma Lomas, having a caesarean section for the birth of her first child, Willow.
During the inquest at Barnet Coroner’s Court, it was revealed that Gemma Lomas was not adequately informed about the risks associated with a natural delivery following a previous caesarean section. The midwives were allegedly slow to respond when Poppy was born in distress, with the newborn being described as “blue and floppy.”
Gemma Lomas expressed her trust in the midwife, Alice Boardman, who advocated for a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) at home. However, guidelines from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommend that VBACs should be carried out in a properly equipped delivery suite with immediate access to caesarean resources.
Tragically, Poppy was transferred to University College Hospital after being born, where she suffered significant oxygen deprivation leading to irreversible brain damage. Despite efforts, Poppy passed away when life support was withdrawn, leaving her parents devastated.
The inquest also highlighted the dismissal of Gemma Lomas’s complaints regarding pain from her previous caesarean scar by the attending midwives. This incident has left the family grappling with profound grief, especially as Poppy was healthy throughout the pregnancy, making her unexpected loss even more devastating.
The inquest proceedings have been adjourned for further evidence from the Edgware Midwives team. The family is seeking answers and accountability as they navigate the aftermath of this tragic event.