An individual who uses social media to promote home births and advise against medical intervention is facing serious charges in Australia following the death of a newborn. Oyebola Coxon, a 36-year-old self-proclaimed “influencer midwife,” has been charged with manslaughter and grievous bodily harm.
The charges stem from an incident last October in Wallsend, New South Wales, where Coxon was assisting a woman with a home birth. According to reports, complications arose during the two-day labor. It is alleged that Coxon disregarded signs of distress and the mother’s requests to go to the hospital.
When the woman was eventually taken to John Hunter Hospital, an emergency Cesarean section was performed. Despite the efforts of the medical team, the baby boy died eight days later due to significant medical complications. The mother also suffered serious complications.
Using the Instagram profile “Mamma Informata,” Coxon has built a following by advocating for what she calls “positive births” and encouraging women to resist doctors’ advice. Her online content has included claims that conditions like gestational diabetes are not real and that medical procedures such as blood tests and ultrasounds are unnecessary.
She also sells paid online courses on childbirth preparation and breastfeeding.
Following a police investigation into the infant’s death, Coxon was arrested on August 14. She was later granted bail with the condition that she is prohibited from acting, practicing, or educating anyone on matters related to pregnancy or birth. Her trial is scheduled to begin on October 15 at Newcastle Crown Court.