A MOTHER who died giving birth at home was said to have had the “most intense birth plan”, a court heard.
Jennifer Cahill, 34, died after giving birth to her second child at her home in Prestwich.
Community midwife, Andrea Walsmley, described the late-mother’s birth plan as being one of the “most intense” she had ever read.
Ms Walmsley was called to the Cahill’s home on the evening of June 2, 2024.
The midwife recalled during an inquest that the lighting was “very dim” when she arrived at the family home two years ago.
However, she did not make a comment about it at the time whilst with colleague Julie Turner.
The midwife “never said anything to Julie”, and the pair “just entered someone’s home”, she revealed at Rochdale Coroners Court on October 14.
Ms Walmsley told Coroner Joanne Kersley that Mrs Cahill was “very quiet” and mainly spoke to her husband when she attended their home.
Husband, Rob, was said to have “supported her very well”, but the midwife was unable to obtain a urine sample from Mrs Cahill despite multiple attempts.
Walmsley said: “When I asked for a urine sample, it was almost like she didn’t like what I was saying.”
The cause of Jennifer’s death is yet to be confirmed in the inquest.
Andrea Walmsley told the yesterday she was not aware the Cahill’s had an “extremely stressful” first birth in hospital with their first son Rudy.
In 2021, the mother suffered a postpartum hemorrhage and lost more than 800ml of blood due to an episiotomy and tear.
This may have been the reason Jen was adamant about a home birth, the midwife admits.
When asked why she was not more strict with Mrs Cahill about her concerns on Jen having a home birth, Ms Walmsley said: “We’re well aware of the complaints that have been going around about us, and I think that’s why it is the way it is.”
Trainee obstetric Dr Azal El-Adwan also appeared at the court, who Jennifer had been referred to due to her high risk status.
Dr El-Adwan was tasked with explaining the risks of having a home birth, and spoke to the mother in March 5, 2025.
He advised her against it, the court heard.
But Jennifer was “keen to have a home birth,” Dr El-Adwan explained at the inquest.
She also spoke of how Mrs Cahill was informed about the medication available to her and any plans put in place should she need to be transferred to the hospital.
However, Dr El-Adwan did not mention the risks of death to Jennifer, despite her being a high risk patient.
This was not “standard practice” to talk about death rates with mothers, the doctor said, as risks are very low.
She believed Jennifer understood the risks involved, but still concluded the meeting with a preference for a home birth.
A final decision would be made once Jen had a test for presence of bacterium group B streptococcus, which can pass from a mother to baby during birth.
The doctor added she did not refer Jen’s case one to another consultant, as “I didn’t feel that it was necessary at the time, but now I think it would have been better to include somebody else”.
The inquest continues.
