It is a very rare tragedy but which has awakened, in circles of caregivers and beyond, questions about supervision births: the death, on November 17, near Fougères (Ille-et-Vilaine), of a 37-year-old woman who had decided to give birth at her home, under the supervision of a midwife, led to a large group of doctors, led by gynecologists, obstetricians and anesthesiologists, to recall their strong reservations, even their frank opposition, to this practice.
A thousand births are believed to be home births, out of more than 700,000 recorded each year. It prevents, “It is impossible for us to condone such a practice, underlines Joëlle Belaisch-Allart, president of the National College of French gynecologists and obstetricians. The risk of maternal and baby mortality is significantly higher in a non-medical context. » “The potential danger of home birth must be denounced, insists Bertrand de Rochambeau, head of the National Union of Gynecologists-Obstetricians of France, And the same is true of everything that can favor this choice, and of everything that undermines the risks incurred. »
Doctors on the front line assure us of these risks: women “lack of information”. “We confuse low-risk pregnancy – for a young parturient, without any particular history… – and low-risk childbirth, explains Estelle Morau, president of the College of anesthetists-resuscitators in obstetrics. However, there is no such thing as a safe birth : Complications are unpredictable, even after a normal pregnancy. »
“The demand exists”
Hemorrhage, amniotic embolism, emergency cesarean section: in these situations, “every minute counts”, are used to saying by caregivers, who insist on “guarantees” provided by hospital resources. “Delay in care is one of the most important criteria for maternal morbidity and mortality,” continues Dr. Morau, who works at Nîmes University Hospital and sits on the National Committee of Experts on Maternal Mortality. A body which assesses around 80 maternal mortality cases per year, “including deaths in “pre”, “per” and “post” partum, to find out what could have been done differently,” she explains.
Concerning the events of November 17, a transfer to hospital for a cesarean section could not save either the mother or the child. An investigation into the causes of death was opened by the Rennes public prosecutor’s office. “No blame [n’est prononcée] at this stage “, says the prosecutor, Philippe Astruc. As the mother’s autopsy failed to determine the cause of death, forensic analyzes were ordered. An autopsy of the infant, who died in utero, was also carried out.
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