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Excessive force used in the delivery of a baby girl by an obstetrician was a contributing factor in her death, a coroner has ruled.
The formal finding of the Southland court released this week says Ella Irihapti McMillan-Meager died on June 12 last year from a subgaleal haemorrhage, a rare condition that can result from the use of vacuum cups during labour.
Blood loss from her torn umbilical cord was also a contributing factor.
The obstetrician responsible for the delivery at Southland Hospital, Enrique Tomeu, has since returned to the United States.
In August, the Coroner's Court was told the vacuum cups were used after the baby's head became tilted, preventing it from moving down the birth canal.
In the formal finding, Trevor Savage said Ella developed the condition following a forceful vacuum delivery where Dr Tomeu climbed on to the birthing bed to get better leverage for his pull.
The strength of the pull was a cause, or at the very least a contributing factor, in Ella developing a subgaleal haemorrhage, Mr Savage said.
He did not recommend any further action , saying he was confident his finding would be referred to the appropriate professional bodies.
The Health and Disability Commissioner is investigating a complaint from Ms McMillan against Dr Tomeu, the Southland District Health Board and midwife Bernie Archer.
Ms McMillan told the Southland Times she was happy that Dr Tomeu had been found at fault for Ella's death.
- NZPA
