News

Twin's parents aware of birth risks

Wed October 26, 2011 5:53am

TWO months ago, Sarah Kerr sat by and listened intently as her friend, Lisa Barrett, gave evidence about the death of two babies on her watch in home birth deliveries.

Yesterday, Ms Kerr was on the witness stand over the death of her twin son, Tully Oliver Kavanagh, who died as a result of complications during home birth less than three weeks ago on October 9.

In the Coroner's Court yesterday, Ms Kerr said she was not discouraged from a home delivery despite in August hearing of the adverse outcomes of home births. Ms Kerr told Deputy State Coroner Anthony Schapel she took full responsibility for her actions and was aware of the increased risk of the delivery of twins.

"No one can say I didn't make an informed choice, I sat through every day of evidence," she said.

"I believed and I still believe I made the best choice on the information I had and the experiences I had."

Ms Kerr said she invited Ms Barrett to her own home birth for support, but did not ask her to perform midwifery duties.

She said she was aware Ms Barrett was no longer a registered midwife, as she was at the time of Tate Spencer-Koch and Jahli Jean Hobbs' deaths, the subject of another ongoing coronial inquest.

Ms Kerr said the hospital birth of her second son in 2005 traumatised her when a doctor completed manual procedures on her during the delivery without consent. She developed post-traumatic stress disorder and feared hospitals.

The delivery of her third and fourth sons was at home.

Ms Kerr said she was admitted to the Women's and Children's Hospital for rehydration during her most recent pregnancy when a doctor advised against home birth and said an epidural was mandatory for the delivery of twins in hospital, which she opposed.

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