Wattle Grove freebirth death: Perth doulas speak out following tragedy

The newborn who died in a Wattle Grove freebirth tragedy became stuck during labour and was not breathing when delivered.

A doula and the infant girl’s father, but no medical professionals, were understood to be overlooking her delivery about 3am on Saturday.

Though they support mothers throughout pregnancy, doulas are unregulated, untrained in delivering babies and banned by law from carrying out clinical care during births.

The infant’s father was reportedly forced to perform CPR on his newborn daughter following her delivery.

The infant was rushed to Midland Hospital by paramedics before being transferred to Perth Children’s Hospital but could not be saved.

Police have ruled out foul play in Saturday morning’s death, but the doula could face fines of up $30,000 if they are found to have provided clinical care.

“The death of a newborn baby is utterly tragic, and we send our deepest condolences to the family in this devastating time,” a Health Department spokesman said.

The spokesman said midwives are not legally required to be present at home births in WA. Such deliveries are described as “freebirths”.

Why there was no midwife, I don’t know. Most of us wouldn’t do a birth without (a midwife) there.

A report will be prepared for the coroner, the results of which will be examined by the Health Department.

Australian College of Midwives’ Kellie Wilton told The West Australian doulas do not have the skills to intervene in emergency situations in childbirth.

“In an emergency situation, that midwife has all of the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to intervene and aim to resolve that emergency situation to enable a safe outcome,” she said.

Perth-based doulas have stressed the need for midwives during at-home births.

Minnie Hillis said Saturday’s tragic incident was “horrific for everyone — the parents and the doula”.

“I don’t know the situation so it’s hard to speak about it, but it’s important for people to understand that doulas don’t deliver babies,” she said.

“We are not medically trained, and we are there to support the mothers.

“Why there was no midwife, I don’t know. Most of us wouldn’t do a birth without (a midwife) there.

“We’re definitely not allowed to do deliveries.”

Postpartum doula Julia Jones said more women, especially during the pandemic, were being driven to home births due to a past traumatic birthing experience in hospital.

“There is a big gap between the women wanting to birth at home and the services available to them,” Ms Jones said.

“Some women, especially if they have already experienced birth trauma in a hospital setting, will choose to birth at home without a midwife.”

Homebirth deaths have previously been under the spotlight in WA, with the death of three newborns the subject of a joint public inquest by the WA Coroner Sarah Linton in 2014.

All three deaths involved babies born at home in circumstances that were contrary to standards and guidelines for home births in Australia.