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368,379 people killed, 306,096 injured and over $2,815,931,000 in economic damages

What's the harm in home childbirth?

There is renewed interest in natural childbirth at home. But if proper precautions are not made for known complications, tragedy can result.  Read more about home childbirth

Here are 14 people who were harmed by someone not thinking critically.


Jacqueline K. Beagley & her baby

Age: 25 / 0
Oregon City, Oregon

Died during childbirth
March 20, 1990

She was in labor for four days. She died of a massive infection after rupture of the fetal membrane. Authorities said she would have survived if she had delivered in a hospital. Read more & more

Ishmael Berger Belebbas

Olathe, Colorado

Died at birth (stuck in birth canal)
2000

Complications during birth can be dealt with, provided medical practitioners are present. Unfortunately Ishmael's parents belonged to the Church of the First Born, which believes in prayer instead of medicine. Read more

Michael David Boehmer

Age: 4 days
Lake City, Florida

Died
March 15, 1990

Michael suffered a hemorrhage, and lost at least a quarter of his blood. His parents put cotton in his nose and prayed for him. The medical examiner later said he had a 90% survival chance if he had just been given a Vitamin K shot. Read more & more

Alice Leach & her baby

Age: 24
North Webster, Indiana

Died (bled to death during childbirth)
July 2, 1976

She belonged to a faith healing church. She bled to death after childbirth at her home. One person present was a registered nurse and lost her license over the incident. "Those people thought they could pray her back to life," said her mother. Read more

Lucas Long

Age: 0
Cory, Colorado

Died during breech birth
1987

During childbirth, his mother was attended by unlicensed midwives. The baby had breathing problems shortly after birth, and the church elders were called to pray. "We believe in divine healing" said the grandmother. Read more & more

Infant McCourt

Age: 0
South Carolina

Died (prolonged delivery)
July 1987

According to the coroner, the baby died due to lack of oxygen because of prolonged delivery. The county pathologist said the baby most likely would have lived if the mother had had prenatal care and medical attendance at delivery. Read more

infant Ruzicka

Age: 0
Brandon, South Dakota

Died
February 1981

The mother was in labor for four days and had convulsions. The baby was stillborn. Read more

baby boy & baby girl Still

Age: 0
Germantown, Pennsylvania

Died
February 1989

Deborah Still gave birth to twins without aid of a doctor or midwife. They were six weeks premature, but this is 95% survivable in a hospital. The girl died within 8 hours and the boy died the next day. Read more

Jaspar Tomlinson

Age: 0
London, England

Brain injury during childbirth
December 2004

Jaspar's father is one of England's leading naturopaths. He was warned by a GP that his wife's pregnancy could end in stillbirth. At home, the "homeopathy assisted" birth went horribly wrong. He suffered brain damage and now has cerebral palsy. Read more & more

 
 
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