Midwife says baby's death rare' event

Linda Barlow. Photo / Supplied

A graduate midwife blamed by a family for the loss of their son during childbirth began crying as she apologised to them - but believes his death was due to a "really rare occurrence".

Linda Barlow lost her baby son Adam, who was delivered via emergency caesarean section, but pronounced dead shortly after his birth at Waikato Hospital in October, 2009.

Medical staff believed baby Adam was stillborn but Coroner Gordon Matenga ordered an inquest after the Barlow family read medical notes showing their baby son had shown signs of life.

The Barlows claim the 23-year-old midwife's inexperience was a major factor leading to their son's death and want to see midwifery guidelines changed to ensure appropriate supervision of all new graduates.

The woman began crying as she offered an apology to the Barlows at the inquest in the Hamilton District Court.

"I am really sorry for what they [the Barlows] have been through," she said. "It has been really hard on everyone and I wish them all the best for the future."

But the woman, whose name is suppressed, later said she had not failed in her duties and blamed baby Adam's death on a "really rare occurrence" that could not have been predicted.

"I think someone has documented five practitioners who saw her and no one picked up or saw anything ... there was more than one person there assessing her during the whole situation."

The inquest had earlier heard how Mrs Barlow began having contractions and wanted to stay at the River Ridge birthing centre in Hamilton but the midwife told her she would have to return home as there was no room.

The Barlows called the midwife to their home around three hours later where Mrs Barlow was found to be fully dilated. She returned to River Ridge via ambulance but when the midwife was unable to hear the baby's pulse, she was transferred to hospital.

Her condition deteriorated and she collapsed following an epidural procedure. Adam was delivered by emergency caesarean section but was declared dead soon after.

The Barlows' lawyer Kate Davenport questioned whether the midwife's lack of experience had caused her to miss signs of Mrs Barlow's deterioration and whether her eventual transfer to the hospital was too late.

But the midwife said: "I didn't fail to pick anything up".