A heartbreaking case has raised urgent concerns about the safety of home births for high-risk pregnancies after 34-year-old Jennifer Cahill and her newborn daughter Agnes Lily died following a planned home birth in Prestwich, England.

Jennifer, who had suffered serious complications in her previous hospital birth, including significant blood loss and a group B strep infection, opted for a home birth in June 2024. Despite medical advice recommending a hospital delivery with intervention plans, her midwife did not clearly state that the home birth was “against medical advice.”

Both Jennifer and baby Agnes died due to complications shortly after the birth, leaving behind Jennifer’s husband Rob and their son Rudy.

At the inquest, midwife Caroline Nixon admitted she had not adequately conveyed the severity of the risks and felt unprepared to manage a high-risk home birth. She also revealed she had been discouraged from using direct language like “this is against advice,” citing NHS policy that such statements should come from consultants.

Had the family been appropriately advised, it may have been that this tragic outcome could have been avoided. The case has sparked calls for:

• Clearer communication of risks during pregnancy planning, especially when lives are at stake.
• Improved midwife training on handling complex cases and delivering difficult truths.
• Stronger guidelines for when professionals must escalate care or challenge unsafe birth plans.

Though home births are generally safe for low-risk pregnancies, research consistently shows increased risks of neonatal death and complications in higher-risk cases. Jennifer’s partner has since said they were never clearly told the risks could be fatal.

This tragedy highlights the need to balance respect for maternal choice with firm, informed medical guidance—especially when lives hang in the balance.

Our Clinical Negligence team regularly helps those who have been injured as a consequence of midwifery failings, including tragic cases such as that of Jennifer and Agnes where there has been loss of life. If you or another member of your family have suffered harm as a result of the failings of a midwife, whether in a hospital setting or involving a home birth, please get in touch with our team today on 01482 323697 to discuss how we can help.