Prosecutors will call dozens of witnesses in the case of two midwives accused of negligently causing a Melbourne mother’s death during a home birth.
Key points:
- The mother-of-two was taken to hospital after suffering major blood loss during a home birth in 2012
- Her blood loss allegedly went unnoticed by the midwives because she was in a birthing pool and the room had inadequate lighting
- Both of the midwives have had their bail extended, and will face court again in November
Caroline Lovell, 36, died in the Austin Hospital after suffering a major haemorrhage during the birth, which took place at her home in Watsonia.
Melody Ballanda Bourne, 43, and Gaye Marion Demanuele, 59, have been charged with negligently causing the death of Ms Lovell by failing to provide adequate midwifery care.
In 2012, Ms Lovell was taken to hospital after suffering major blood loss, which allegedly went unnoticed by the women because she was in a birthing pool and the room had inadequate lighting.
Instead, the mother-of-two was allegedly treated with a homeopathic remedy before paramedics were called.
She died 12 hours after arriving at the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with multi-organ failure and an irreversible hypoxic brain injury.
Ms Lovell’s death was the subject of a coronial inquest.
Ms Bourne, from Mullumbimby in New South Wales, and Ms Demanuele, from Preston, appeared by videolink today in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Both were charged on August 14 and had their bail extended today.
The court heard prosecutors would call 29 witnesses, some of whom lived interstate.
New statements will also have to be taken as those gathered during the coronial inquest did not meet the standards required by a criminal court.
The midwives will return to court on November 27.
