Baby died after ‘mismanaged’ C-section, says coroner

The boy was in a legs-first breech position, but a medical expert witness said a vaginal birth assessment was not conducted: Tasmania coroners court
Australian Associated Press
Launceston General Hospital.

A baby’s fatal brain injury occurred during a “mismanaged” hospital birth involving “poor clinical decision-making” that did not follow relevant guidelines, according to a Tasmania coroners court’s finding.

The boy, known as KN, was delivered at the Launceston General Hospital in October 2019 in a traumatic labour that resulted in a severe hypoxic brain injury. 

He died two weeks later after being placed in palliative care.

The boy’s mother was admitted to the hospital for an emergency caesarean section, a procedure she was “keen” to have, after a routine examination found he was in a legs-first breech position.