A home birth that got complicated ended in the birth of a baby with fear of long-term brain damage:
about two weeks ago, a home birth was referred to "Ziv" hospital, when she arrived at the hospital she was connected to a monitor that indicated severe fetal distress.
Within minutes of her arrival, the mother was put into an emergency caesarean section and the baby was born suffering from brain damage due to the lack of oxygen and convulsions.
He was ventilated and treated at the hospital and there is concern that the brain damage he suffered may be permanent damage.
"Israel Hayom" also learned that even when it was necessary to evacuate the woman's hall to the hospital, she arrived in a private vehicle and not in an ambulance.
Which may be an additional inhibiting factor in the urgent care of the baby.
This is the first birth of a woman whose pregnancy is defined as a low-risk pregnancy and therefore suitable for the possibility of a home birth, according to the 2012 Ministry of Health circular.
Also, the birth took place about 20 minutes away from a hospital.
Despite this, complications may happen even in a birth that seems to be of low risk.
The Ministry of Health stated that the case was reported to the Ministry and will be investigated as usual.
The baby suffered from breathing difficulties, photo: GettyImages
Dr. Avner Shiptan, a doctor who performs many home births and is active in the issue of freedom of choice in birth, was present at the birth. However, in the past, it was determined in the disciplinary procedures of the Ministry of Health that he did not complete a specialization in obstetrics and gynecology and therefore is not allowed to perform home births. In July 2020, his license was revoked for a period of one year Only about six months ago was his license to practice medicine returned.
The denial was made following a case from 2017, when a woman who was pregnant at risk gave birth and according to a Ministry of Health circular she was not allowed to give birth at home.
The baby suffered from breathing difficulties and later needed hospital treatment.
In this case too, the evacuation to the hospital was in a private vehicle and not in an ambulance.
Retired judge Amnon Strashnov, who is in charge of disciplinary law at the Ministry of Health, recommended that his license be revoked for three years and noted that "this is a moderate punishment given the seriousness of his actions, which he repeats repeatedly in a systematic and consistent manner, risking the life and health of the mother and the newborn. The instructions of the Ministry of Health, about the decision given against him in the past and the ruling of the courts."
"The fastest way to get to a hospital is by private car"
Dr. Shiptan appealed to the court and the sentence was shortened to one and a half years. In 2013, a disciplinary complaint was filed against him to the Ministry of Health, in which he was charged with behavior unbecoming of the medical profession and gross negligence in the performance of his duties, in 6 cases where he accompanied or participated in home births in the years 2010- 2013. The Ministry of Health claimed that he acted contrary to the instructions of the Ministry of Health and that he presented himself as an expert in the field of midwifery, even though he had no such expertise. His license was revoked for 5 months.
"In most cases, the fastest way to get to a hospital is by private car."
Ambulance (illustration), photo: documentation of MDA operations
Dr. Avner Shiptan said in response: "The publication is against the family's request." Regarding getting to the hospital by private car, he said: "Sometimes the fastest way to get to the hospital is by ambulance, but in most cases the fastest way to get to the hospital is by private car."
The Ministry of Health issued a circular a decade ago defining for medical staff members, in which cases home births can be accepted.
The circular defines the condition of the woman giving birth, the training required of those who receive the delivery - expertise in midwifery and gynecology for a doctor, the required equipment and the conditions, and more.
A year ago, the Supreme Court ruled that births can be performed in "birth centers" that are not hospitals, and that the Ministry of Health does not have the authority to condition the operation of the birth center on obtaining a license from the Ministry of Health.
However, the court stated that the Ministry of Health must formulate guidelines for the regulation of such birth centers and the Ministry appointed a committee headed by Prof. Ami Fishman to examine the matter.
The committee has not yet finished its work.
were we wrong
We will fix it!
If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us
