Mum’s heartbreak after baby girl passes away from umbilical cord rupture

A mum has said that she blamed herself for her baby girl's passing after she opted to give birth at home.

Aimee Green lost her baby Luna last year after an umbilical cord rupture that occurred during the birth. Green said that at the time she thought the loss was her fault because she didn't "listen to them all and have a hospital birth." The mum has since set up a charity for bereaved parents called Luna's Love and Life After Still Birth where she has detailed her pregnancy and how she has coped with grief. She wrote that after Luna's birth, she apologised to friends and family about what had happened.

“I kept saying sorry to everyone as I didn’t know what to do to make them feel better. “They would come over and drown me in hugs and kisses but all I could say was I’m so sorry."

Green also said that she has blamed herself for her little girl not being there anymore because she had opted to have a home birth. She said:

“It was my fault, why did I have a home birth, why didn’t I listen to them all and have a hospital birth, why was she a happy baby for 11 hours of labour but not the last few minutes? “What had I done? How was I going to apologise to Ryan? What if he falls out of love with me? I can’t lose him as well? My family hate me…"

The HSE advises that home births are a safe alternative for healthy women and babies. A midwife and other medical advisers will usually consult the mum-to-be on what the safest option for birth will be. Green and boyfriend Ryan set up their charity to help parents who have also lost children to stillbirths. They have said that they want to offer services and financial freedom in order for families to create new memories and be able to look forward to their futures. You can donate to the fund here.