The two home births during which two newborns died Community of Madrid were produced outside a recognized healthcare setting by the public health system, since home birth “this is not part of the health services portfolio” and develops as “a private activity.”
This is highlighted by health sources and nursing professionals in obstetrics and gynecology, who recall that in Spain this type of childbirth is not integrated in official protocols or in public support structures.
The double tragedy has taken place in recent hours in two parts of the region. One of the births took place in the town of Colmenar Viejo and the other in the Madrid district of Ciudad Lineal, as confirmed by health sources Madrid Total.
In the first case, put forward by The world and confirmed by health sources, the birth was planned at the home of a first-time mother who was at the 34th week of gestation.
Complications arose during the delivery, so emergency services were notified.
When they arrived, the paramedics SUM 112 They found the newborn in cardiorespiratory arrest and, despite resuscitation maneuvers, They couldn’t save his life.
The second event occurred in a house in Ciudad Lineal. Emergency services were alerted following complications that arose during the birth, with the baby being in the breech position.
Once again, health workers found the newborn in cardiorespiratory arrest and They certified his death after trying to resuscitate him without success.
In the health field, it is emphasized that home birth carries risks in the event of unforeseen complications and that there are no immediate answers.
“In a hospital environment there are human resources and technicians ready to deal with obstetric and neonatal emergencies”, affirm health sources, who recall that the Reaction time is decisive in this type of situation.
In this context, Montserrat Angulomatron member of the Plenary of the General Nursing Council of Spain (CGE) and president of the College of Nursing of Alicante, explains to Madrid Total that “scientific evidence has repeatedly demonstrated the safety of home birth for women with low-risk pregnancies” assisted by expert midwives and with a pre-planned transfer plan from a home within 30 minutes of the nearest hospital.
Angulo recalls that “the midwife is a nurse specialized in gynecology and obstetrics” and emphasizes the importance of continuing training: “Knowledge and effectiveness in action and the resolution of obstetric and neonatal emergencies decreases if training is not provided, at least annually, by the professional”.
However, the CGE representative specifies that in Spain, home birth “It is not recognized by the health system, so it is a private activity that the family must pay for,” transform this option into a privilege reserved for a minority.
In this sense, he defends that “the health system can offer action guides, “protocols and models of care” that allow women to make informed choices about where to give birth.
Angulo adds that “European laws protect the free decision of every pregnant woman choose where you want to welcome your baby” and remember that in other countries this option is integrated into the public system or is reimbursed.
He nevertheless specifies that the debate on the safety of home birth “focuses largely on neonatal morbidity and mortality”, and that some studies report higher perinatal mortality, particularly in nulliparous women, although the absolute risk is low.
Regardless, the expert insists that the safety of home birth depends on low-risk pregnancies, followed by trained professionals and in coordination with the health system, a framework which, to date, is not officially regulated or recognized by Health in Spain.
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