Woman loses High Court action over HSE homebirth support
An expectant mother has lost a High Court action challenging the HSE’s refusal to facilitate a home birth for the delivery of her second child.
University lecturer Aja Teehan, who lives in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, told supporters who rallied for today’s ruling that she feels she has let them down but that she’s proud of what they achieved.
Around 30 supporters burst into applause as Teehan left the High Court with her husband Charles Brand.
The lecturer, who is 31 weeks pregnant, lost her challenge to the HSE’s blanket policy of refusing homebirths to mothers who have previously had caesarean sections.
Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley has found that the policy is reasonable given that there is a small risk of uterine rupture in such cases.
In her judgment she said "as I see it, the issue of insurance is at the heart of the problem."
She finds the HSE should not be compelled to accept liability for a risk it does not believe is justifiable.
Aja Teehan may appeal this ruling but she told supporters outside court that to go to the Supreme Court would double the costs and without financial help it would be her family that would have to bear that expense.
